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Boardfolio.com >> ASP World Tour News >> Press Conference Held In Tokyo; Event Only Days Away

Quiksilver's dream team pictured at the press conference for the Niijima Quiksilver Pro. Niijima Quiksilver Pro (June 18-29, 2003) www.quiksilver.com Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) www.aspworldtour.com World Championship Tour (WCT) Press Release Press Conference Held In Tokyo; Event Only Days Away Monday June 16, 2003 (Tokyo, Japan) The Niijima Quiksilver Pro today held an official press conference in Tokyo city. The men's US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) enters its 12-day waiting period on Wednesday the 18th, yet requires only four full days to complete the event prior to June 29th on nearby Niijima Island. Quiksilver spokesman and former top rated WCT surfer John Shimooka kicked off proceedings with a warm welcome and the acted as MC throughout. Distinguished quests and local Japanese media made up the assembled gathering. Quiksilver Brand Management President Bruce Raymond offered the following introduction to the 2003 event: "Firstly I'd like to spread Quiksilver's excitement in bringing World Championship Tour surfing back to Japan," said Raymond. "We're particularly delighted in the Quiksilver Trials held recently, which brought together JPSA and ASP Asian surfers to produce the best surfers in Japan to join the international WCT surfers. I think this is the first time such a large contingent of Japanese surfers have been able to surf with the best in the world, and Quiksilver are very proud to be a part of this initiative." ASP International CEO Peter Whittaker extended his appreciation towards event license holder Aim Create, and further encouraged the Japanese wildcards in the tournament. "It's fantastic to be back in Japan after a three year hiatus," explained Whittaker. "ASP have taken some time out over the past few years to restructure the tour. I'd like to thank Aim Create - our event licensee in Japan - for taking it on. It's fantastic to see all of the Japanese surfers getting an opportunity in the tournament and we wish them all the best. It'd be great to see a Japanese surfer break into the WCT ranks sooner than later." Six-time World Champion Kelly Slater (FL, USA) was present, though remains unsure if he'll actually contest the tournament. Still bearing the injured foot he suffered en-route to his triumphant return to the winner's podium in Tahiti, the Floridian will continue to monitor his situation and make a final decision when competition begins. "I'm excited to be back cause I've had some great surf in Japan," said Slater. "In 1990 I was in Niijima and got amazing surf for the world amateur contest. I'm looking forward to it and just hope I'm able to surf. My foot is still pretty hurt, so I'm still not sure if I can. I had to weigh up the options prior to Fiji, but at that point two bones were broken and further injuries could have kept me out of the water for months. I'm just going to see how it feels. If the waves are hollow I'll probably try and surf and just go for barrels. "We don't know what to expect from them," he continued, of the Japanese wildcard entrants. "We haven't seen them surf a lot, so don't know what their strong or weak points are and can't attack those in a heat. Everyone will just have to go out and surf really hard and treat them like the toughest guys on tour. I'd really like to see a couple of these guys do well and make a few heats and surprise some people." The Quiksilver Trials completed at Maruki Beach last week showcased Japan's most promising hopefuls vying for a berth in the Niijima Quiksilver Pro. Norimasa Ohno and Kenta Hayashi earned top honors, but following the recent withdrawals of WCT surfers Flavio Padaratz (Brz), Danilo Costa (Brz), Shea Lopez (FL, USA) due to injuries, additional positions have been granted to Japan's Tetsuya Urayama, Masaki Harada and Naohisa Ogawa. The Quiksilver Trials comprised of sixteen surfers chosen via ASP Asia, JPSA and event sponsor wildcards. Norimasa will now join his twin brother and Quiksilver sponsored wildcard Masatoshi 'Mars' Ohno in the main event, who makes up the sixth Japanese entrant at this point. "I'm stoked to be in the event," said Norimasa, as translated by former touring professional and Niijima Quiksilver Pro announcer Matt Pitts (Aus). "Of course I am going to give it my best and am hoping for a good result." Hayashi, a former JPSA Junior Champion hoping to qualify on this years' ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), is very excited to make it into the main event. The 18-year-old from Shikoku hopes to be the first Japanese surfer to make the ASP WCT. "I'm still very young and am going to take it one heat at a time," acknowledged Hayashi. "I'm really looking forward to all the free surfing at Niijima and the chance to just get amongst the world's best. I want to make the WCT tour and one day be a world champion, but most importantly I want people to stop and notice my surfing along the way." Australia's Danny Wills (Byron Bay) won back-to-back tournaments in Japan to finish 1998 rated third, and is a definite favorite leading into this year's event. "It's great to be back," said Wills. "I really enjoy myself here. The people take good care of you and I like the food (laughs). I think it's going to be tough, but personally I'm really excited about being back in Japan and hope to do well." 2002 World Qualifying Series (WQS) winner Jake Paterson (West Australia) offered further caution towards the local Japanese surfers in the Niijima Quiksilver Pro. "I think Kelly was beaten by a local Japanese surfer a few years back here, so everyone's got to be on their game for sure," said Paterson. "These wildcards have been doing the WQS and learnt how to surf heats, so it's going to be really interesting to see how they go. Man-on-man heats are pretty unique, so I know if I draw any of these guys I'll be banking on my experience to get me though. They'll definitely know the waves better than we do, especially if it's small." Two-time world champion and Quiksilver ambassador Tom Carroll (Newport, Aus) explained the importance for Japanese surfers being able to witness the world's best surfers live. "The level of surfing is extraordinary now and I think it will be super exciting for the Japanese surfers to get to see the performances live," said Carroll. "The energy here is lifting and the talent level too." Niijima boasts great beach break conditions and picks up the majority of swell in Japan's region. Formerly the site of major tournaments, Mark Richards (Aus) won the first WCT at Habushiura Beach in 1979, while Martin Potter (UK) clinched the last title presented there in 1989. Organizers are confident the coming 12-day waiting period will produce good conditions and surf, with a typhoon currently making its way toward the region. Detailed releases will be posted each day following the completion of surfing action, with updates available on www.quiksilver.com & www.aspworldtour.com.

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