Hiroto Arai downs Kaito Ohashi to claim Murasaki Shonan Open ASP 5-Star Pro Junior Title
Japan’s Hiroto Arai successfully took out the Murasaki Shonan Open Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 5-Star Pro Junior after getting the better of his fellow countryperson Kaito Ohashi in the Final that went down at the Kugenuma Beach in Kanagawa,
Japan, on Saturday, July 14.
The final turned out to be intense, with both the young guns fighting tooth-and-nail to get their hands on top honours. However, Arai proved to be the superior surfer on the day and thus managed to emerge triumphant through an impressive performance.
“Thank you very much everybody,” Arai said during the post-Final interview. “I knew Ohashi was a tough opponent so I had to charge from the beginning. He is so tough and I knew he could come back at the last second. I would like to thank all the sponsors,
my family and friends, team mates, and the Kugenuma locals and all the staffs for creating a great event. I am so happy now.”
The young Japanese sensation had been on fire since the very first day of the waiting period, reading the conditions on hand quite well to navigate his way through the sea and get hold of potent scoring opportunities. His consistent and determined performances
enabled him to smoothly make his way through into the Final.
Ohashi had been nothing short of impressive during the course of the event either, doing well to hold his own as he faced one challenge after another. Reaching the crucial battle for the overall win, he surely had his work cut out for him as he was about
to face an equally in-form surfer.
As the battle got underway, Arai began his charge right away, making it clear that he meant business. After going through a series of average scores, he locked his first business-wave to unload a flurry of impressive tricks, earning 6.25 points for the effort.
He soon backed it up with a 6.65-point ride, thus reaching a heat-total of 12.90 points.
Ohashi put on a tough fight and continued to breathe down his rival’s neck until the end. However, he eventually finished with a two-wave total of 12.70 points and therefore forced to concede the event title to his rival.
Arai got to take home US$6,000 along with 2000 ASP ranking points, while Ohashi walked away with a runner-up prize cheque of US$3,000 as well as 1,500 ranking points.
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