Today’s Top Five Best Surfers
As the 2021 Tokyo Olympics approach, it is important to recognize what is so special about these Olympics. What really separates these summer Olympics apart from the rest, is that they will feature surfing for the very first time. The fact that surfing has never been an olympic sport slips most amateur watcher’s minds. It is shocking that since its establishment in 1894, the International Olympics Committee has excluded such a well known global sport from competition.
Because of the end of a long drought of Olympic surfing, it is important to celebrate the sports long overdue integration into the summer Olympics. To celebrate, we’ll give you our list of the top five current surfers from around the world that you will get the chance to see perform in Tokyo this summer.
Jordy Smith
The 33 year old from Durban, South Africa has had an impressive career thus far. With 12 heat wins, and a consistent top five world title finisher, Jordy Smith has proven himself to be one of the world’s premier surfers. Smith set one of the biggest bidding war records in the surfing industry between major brands such as Nike and O’neil for endorsement and sponsorship rights. After suffering a series of major back and neck injuries, Smith bounced back and finished in the top five in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 world championships, and now is representing South Africa in the Tokyo Olympics.
Kanoa Igrashi
Although surfing for Japan in this year’s Olympics, Igrashi grew up in Huntington Beach, California as his father wanted him to have the best shot of achieving his dream, to be a pro surfer. Growing up poor in the surfing capital of America, Kanoa was riding waves from the age of three, and never looked back. The 23 year old has already finished in the top five of several major qualifying tournaments, including the first place prize at the US Open in 2017. Kanoa has already accomplished more in his young career as most surfers do their whole lives, and continues to strive for more accolades this summer in Tokyo.
Julian Wilson
The 32 year old from Queensland, Australia has been one of the most highly regarded talents in all of surfing since his first season in 2011. Instantly earning fame in his rookie season finishing in the top 10 in the world championships, Wilson has maintained and elevated his talents and status, winning five championship tours in his 10 year career. His most recent accomplishment was a stellar performance at the previous Pipeline Showdown which qualified him for the Tokyo Olympics where he will be representing Australia.
Italo Ferreira
Hailing from Baia Formosa, Brazil, the 27 year old surfer grew up learning how to surf on the lid of his fathers cooler, and has come a long way. In 2019, Ferreira had what is considered to be one of the sport’s greatest performances as he won first place in the Pipeline Showdown. Known to be an explosive and high energy surfer, Italo has won 18 heats, and is a threat to win first place in any given competition, including the Tokyo Olympics where he will be representing Brazil.
Gabriel Medina
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It should be no surprise that Gabriel Medina got the number one spot on our list. The 27 year old Brazilian from Sao Paulo is considered a national hero, and can go very few places in the country without being recognized. His claim to fame started when he was just a teenager, becoming the youngest ever to win a major qualifying event at just 15 years old. With 24 heat wins, more championship tour victories than any other surfer, and an astounding 8.7 million instagram followers, the global surfing phenom is the undisputed best in the world, and will be surfing on behalf of Brazil in the Tokyo Olympics.
