Japan dominates Shore Temple Classic with four-title surfing sweep

Japanese surfers won all four titles at the Shore Temple Classic QS 2,000 and Pro Junior event in Mahabalipuram, including a close men’s final decided by 0.33 points.

Japan dominates Shore Temple Classic with four-title surfing sweep

Japanese surfers captured all four titles at the Shore Temple Classic QS 2,000 and Pro Junior event at Mahabalipuram Beach, underlining the country’s strength across the men’s and women’s divisions. The finals featured three all-Japanese matchups, while Thailand’s Isabel Higgs was the only non-Japanese athlete to reach a championship heat.

Key takeaways

  • Japan won both QS 2,000 titles and both Pro Junior championships.
  • Ikko Watanabe edged compatriot Tenshi Iwami by 0.33 points in the men’s final.
  • Mirai Ikeda won the women’s QS 2,000 title over Thailand’s Isabel Higgs.
  • Organizers said they are targeting a World Surf League event in the Andaman Islands in March 2027.

Watanabe prevails in close men’s final

Ikko Watanabe secured the men’s QS 2,000 crown in the tightest final of the event, defeating fellow Japanese surfer Tenshi Iwami by just 0.33 points. Watanabe posted 17.10, the highest final score recorded at the competition, while Iwami finished on 16.77 in a high-quality showdown.

The result highlighted Japan’s depth in the senior men’s field, with both finalists producing scores well above those recorded in the other championship heats.

Ikeda claims women’s QS 2,000 title

Mirai Ikeda completed Japan’s sweep of the senior divisions by winning the women’s QS 2,000 final with 14.00 points. She held off Thailand’s Isabel Higgs, who scored 12.40, for a winning margin of 1.60 points.

Higgs’s runner-up finish made her the only non-Japanese surfer to reach a final across the four divisions. Her performance also gave Thailand a place on the senior podium at the Mahabalipuram competition.

Japanese juniors complete the sweep

Hinata Shimizu won the women’s Pro Junior final with 14.23 points, finishing two points ahead of compatriot Hinano Shimizu, who scored 12.23. Higgs placed third with 10.53, while Ikeda finished fourth.

Japan also took the men’s Pro Junior title through Yuma Nagasawa, whose 14.17-point total was enough to defeat Ren Okano on 13.00. Sentaro Sakai placed third with 9.13, and Taro Takai finished fourth with 8.07.

Event points toward India’s surfing ambitions

The competition brought surfers from across Asia and beyond to Mahabalipuram, giving India’s developing athletes an opportunity to compete against international talent. Arun Vasu, president of the Surfing Federation of India and Asian Surfing Federation, thanked the participating athletes, sporting authorities, officials and volunteers for supporting the event.

Organizers are looking ahead to a proposed World Surf League event in the Andaman Islands in March 2027, along with another WSL competition next year. The plans would expand India’s role on the international surfing calendar and provide further high-level opportunities for local competitors.