Bronson Meydi And Luana Silva Win World Junior Championships
After a week of competing in waves between three to six feet at Monaliza Point in The Philippines, Indonesia's Bronson Meydi and Brazil's Luana Silva have taken first place in the men's and women's World Junior Championships.
It's Indonesia'a first world title in any WSL division and Brazil's first Women's world title. Aside from first place trophies, both surfers have booked themselves a spot on this year's Challenger Series.
Silva and Meydi (WSL/Cate Miers)
On his way to the championships, Meydi won all three qualifying events. He then built all the way through the draw to face event favourite Winter Vincent in the Final. Vincent got out of the gates quickly, racking a 17.84 total, yet when Meydi scored a perfect 10 for two tail-high air reverses, the Australian was vulnerable. A back up score from Meydi that went excellent sealed the deal leaving Vincent chasing a near-perfect wave that never came.
Bronson Meydi (WSL/Cate Miers)
“I knew I would have to go big against Winter [Vincent],” Meydi said. “He has been the guy to beat all week, and his surfing is amazing. I want to congratulate him on making the Final and having such a great performance here. I’m just super happy with this and look forward to celebrating with all my friends and family who support me so much.”
Though the Women's Final had fewer waves ridden the result hung in the balance for most the heat. A late wave by Japan's Kana Nakashio appeared enough, yet with seconds left ex-Championship Tour surfer Luana Silva scraped into one last wave that was the highest-scoring of the Final, and was also enough to take the win.
“I grinded through all of my heats,” Silva continued. “I never really found a great wave and surfed scrappy heats, but I guess I did a good enough job in each heat to get through and get the job done. I’m just so happy right now.”
Luana Silva (WSL/Cate Miers)
2024 World Junior Championships Women's Final Result:
1 - Luana Silva (BRA) 12.23
2 - Kana Nakashio (JPN) 11.67
2024 World Junior Championships Men's Final Result:
1 - Bronson Meydi (INA) 18.80
2 - Winter Vincent (AUS) 17.84
2024 World Junior Championships Women's Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Luana Silva (BRA) 12.50 DEF. Rosie Smart (AUS) 8.94
HEAT 2: Kana Nakashio (JPN) 14.43 DEF. Arena Rodriguez (PER) 7.40
2024 World Junior Championships Men's Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Winter Vincent (AUS) 17.16 DEF. Dylan Donegan Dos Santos (ESP) 11.43
HEAT 2: Bronson Meydi (INA) 16.80 DEF. Lennix Smith (AUS) 15.44
Comments
I watched the final with bronson and winter. Winter Vincent has a fair bit of Jordy Smith in his turns. Very similar style, especially when blowing his tail out. Bronson seems like a cool guy. No screaming and splashing or thanking God after his win. Very calm and composed and respectful.
The scoring in the final was weird though. Bronson got a 7 for a small air on a small wave. Then he came out and did 2 airs that were twice as good on sections twice as big. It made the 7 look like a 4.5 at best. It's a shame winter didn't win, he was the most consistent performer of the event, just couldn't match Bronson s airs in the final. Bronson the well deserved winner.
I wonder if that final is a good example of why judges should wait until two waves have been surfed before they score anything. By giving Bronson that 7, they left no room for separation of scores for the rest of the heat.
Winters surfing was better but Bronsons airs were next level.......great final and Bronson a deserved winner....as for the girls its a shame Sierra Kerr got knocked out cause her surfing is better than Luanas .....but she blew it by trying to be too clever in out hassling her opponent......