JAPAN — 2001 world champion CJ Hobgood today clinched his second victory of the season by winning the Quiksilver Pro in Japan. The Foster’s men’s ASP World Championship Tournament (WCT) commenced with quarterfinals this morning, running through until the US$260,000
JAPAN — 2001 world champion CJ Hobgood today clinched his second victory of the season by winning the Quiksilver Pro in Japan. The Foster’s men’s ASP World Championship Tournament (WCT) commenced with quarterfinals this morning, running through until the US$260,000 event climaxed in dramatic fashion.
Clean 3ft (1m) waves were again on offer at Hebara beach. Light rainfall continued, but couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of thousands who crammed the shoreline for a close up view of their surfing heroes. Hobgood trailed throughout the 30-minute decider against Joel Parkinson, and most figured the Australian had wrapped it up as the final minutes elapsed. The Floridian never gave up however, and picked off a good lefthander to claw into contention with an 8.23 score. ‘Parko’ remained in front as he surfed his last wave to the beach, but with 40-seconds left, Hobgood caught a righthander and unleashed a ferocious backhand attack – highlighted by a tail sliding re-entry and reverse 360 maneuver on the inside section. When the top single score of exchange was announced for a 9.47, victory was his.
Having also won in Tahiti this year, as well as reached the Quiksilver Pro semifinals in Fiji, the 25-year-old now holds down runner-up position on the current ratings. “I don’t even know what just happened,” exclaimed Hobgood, moments afterward. “I saw ‘Parko’ just ruling the whole time, but I kept telling myself I was still in it. Then I got that left, and went for broke on my last wave. I knew I had nothing to lose and was able to do a couple of nice turns. I just remember standing on the beach… I seriously didn’t think I got the score.
