Japan Shines at the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship
The 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship in Huntington Beach, California, saw Japan achieve a strong performance, winning four individual medals and securing fourth place overall as a team. Among the 180 participants from 29 nations, Japan stood out, with Shota Nakamura winning gold in the Men’s Stand 1 category, showcasing advanced skills and determination. Kazuki Watanabe claimed silver in Men’s Stand 2, adding to Japan’s medal count and reinforcing its reputation in adaptive surfing.
The event featured nine categories, with competitions including visually impaired and mobility-impaired surfers, highlighting the dedication and resilience of adaptive athletes worldwide. Japan’s performance was notable not only for medal wins but also for its consistent strength across the competition. Many Japanese athletes placed within the top ranks, demonstrating both personal and national growth in adaptive surfing.
Japan’s fourth-place finish as a team marked a significant achievement, positioning it close to powerhouses like the USA and Brazil. This achievement reflected Japan’s steady progress in the sport and the rising profile of its athletes in international adaptive surfing. The event celebrated inclusivity and the advancements in adaptive surfing worldwide, illustrating the sport’s expanding impact.
The full list of winners:
Countries
Gold – France
Silver – USA
Bronze – Australia
Copper – Spain
Individual
Men’s Stand 1
Gold – Shingo Kato (JPN)
Silver – Camilo Abdula (POR)
Bronze – Maxime Clarkin (FRA)
Copper – Suguru Nara (JPN)
Women’s Stand 1
Gold – Catalina Castro (CHI)
Silver – Chikako Takao (JPN)
Bronze – Anne-Marie Paquet (CAN)
Men’s Sit
Gold – Guillaume Colin (FRA)
Silver – Chris Oberle (USA)
Bronze – Juan Manuel Camacho (CRC)
Copper – Jeff Munson (USA)
Women’s Sit
Gold – Cass Eckroth (USA)
Silver – Alana Nichols (USA)
Bronze – Lisa Franks (CAN)
Copper – Alina Garbuzov (HAW)
Women’s Prone 1
Gold – Sarah Bettencourt (USA)
Silver – Paloma Onate (ESP)
Bronze – Jonne Moleman (NED)
Copper – Suzanne Edwards (ENG)
Men’s Prone 1
Gold – Kai Colless (AUS)
Silver – Joel Taylor (AUS)
Bronze – Cleuson Araujo (BRA)
Copper – Casey Proud (HAW)
Women’s Kneel / Upright
Gold – Audrey Pascual (ESP)
Silver – Vera Quaresma (BRA)
Bronze – Emma Dieters (AUS)
Copper – Erin Koffel (USA)
Men’s Kneel / Upright
Gold – Llywelyn ‘Sponge’ Williams (WAL)
Silver – Dariel Melendez (CRC)
Bronze – Altair Olivares (CHI)
Copper – Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (AUS)
Women’s Prone 2
Gold – Jocelyn Neumueller (AUS)
Silver – Sarah Almagro (ESP)
Bronze – Georgina Melatini (ARG)
Copper – Beatrice Duran (FRA)
Men’s Prone 2
Gold – Freddy Marimon (COL)
Silver – Davi Teixeira (BRA)
Bronze – Cliff Gralton (AUS)
Copper – Jose Martinez (USA)
Women’s Stand 3
Gold – Charlotte Banfield (ENG)
Silver – Mireia Cabanes (ESP)
Bronze – Stella Papetti (ITA)
Copper – Ursula Pueyo (ESP)
Men’s Stand 3
Gold – Luciano Silveira (BRA)
Silver – Colin Cook (HAW)
Bronze – Eric Dargent (FRA)
Copper – Naomichi Katsukura (JPN)
Women’s Stand 2
Gold – Zoe Smith (ENG)
Men’s Stand 2
Gold – JP Veaudry (RSA)
Silver – Forrest Weinberg (USA)
Bronze – Nachman Balulu (ISR)
Copper – Philippe Naud (FRA)
Women’s VI 1
Gold – Marta Paço (POR)
Silver – Valentine Moskoteoc (FRA)
Bronze – Carmen Lopez (ESP)
Copper – Juliette Mas (FRA)
Men’s VI 1
Gold – Elias Ricardo Diel (BRA)
Silver – Thomas Da Silva (FRA)
Bronze – Ben Neumann (GER)
Copper – Kirk Watson (AUS)
Women’s VI 2
Gold – Alelí Medina (PUR)
Silver – Ling Pai (CAN)
Bronze – Heloise Lauriol (FRA)
Copper – Lou Mechiche (FRA)
Men’s VI 2
Gold – Pierot Gagliano (FRA)
Silver – Roy Calderon (CRC)
Bronze – Luis Medina (CHI)
Copper – Matt Formston (AUS)