Defending champ Anon Matsuoka of Japan kicked off her World Surf League O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior campaign with two heat wins to move onto the quarterfinals in fun and clean two-to-three foot surf at Williard Beach in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
The waves arrived in time for the start of the Pro Junior and the top contenders made their intentions known in the early round of competition.
The ISA World Junior champion is getting plenty of surf time ahead of the Challenger Series, by competing in the Pro Junior as well as the Ballito Open presented by Flojos Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000.
“I’m so happy to be back here in Ballito! The waves are a lot of fun, and I just want to get in a lot of practice for the Challenger Series with this Pro Junior and the QS. I’m excited, it’s a nice warm-up.”
Defending champ and ISA World Junior champion, Japan’s Anon Matsuoka
Matsuoka won her Opening Round ahead of Laura Raupp (BRA) and then came out on top in the Round of 16. A last ditch effort from Louise Lepront (RSA) saw her take the second spot behind Matsuoka to advance to the quarterfinals.
Coming into Ballito fresh off a victory at the Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca, Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) won both her heats today, and will be joined by sister Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) in the quarterfinals.
Lepront posted the highest score by a South African in the round of 16 heats, and will be joined in Friday’s competition by compatriots Sarah Scott, Gabriella Herbst and Lily Heny, who also won through to Friday’s quarterfinals, with all of them facing up to international competition.
O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior Women’s Round of 24 Results
Heat 1: Anon Matsuoka (JPN) 12.97 Def. Laura Raupp (BRA) 11.50, Demi Rowe (RSA) 3.84
Heat 2: Emily Jenkinson (RSA) 6.30 Def. Aimee du Preez (RSA) 4.94, Indiphile Osinachi (RSA) 2.20
Heat 3: Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 9.07 Def. Mayah Potgieter (RSA) 5.47, Camilla Heuer (RSA) 2.73
Heat 4: Lily Heny (RSA) Def. Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK)
O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior Women’s Round of 16 Results
Heat 1: Anon Matsuoka (JPN) 13.17 Def. Louise Lepront (RSA) 7.50, Leah Lepront (RSA) 5.00, Aimee du Preez (RSA) 4.93
Heat 2: Laura Raupp (BRA) 11.67 Def. Sarah Scott (RSA) 6.70, Emily Jenkinson (RSA) 6.10, Adriel Wolmarans (RSA) 2.67
Heat 3: Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 11.00 Def. Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 10.10, Anastasia Venter (RSA) 8.67, Zia Hendricks (RSA) 4.07
Heat 4: Lily Heny (RSA) 6.90 Def. Gabriella Herbst (RSA) 6.70, Mayah Potgieter (RSA) 5.04, Gemma Hanafey (RSA) 4.34
O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups
Heat 1: Anon Matsuoka (JPN) vs. Sarah Scott (RSA)
Heat 2: Louise Lepront (RSA) vs. Laura Raupp (BRA)
Heat 3: Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) vs. Gabriella Herbst (RSA)
Heat 4: Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) vs. Lily Heny (RSA)
Original Copy: WSL Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Defending champ Anon Matsuoka of Japan kicked off her Ballito Pro Junior campaign with two heat wins to move onto the quarterfinals in fun and clean two-to-three foot surf at Williard Beach in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Photo: Kody McGregor/World Surf League
Photo 2 Caption: Louise Lepront beat off sister Leah Lepront in the last minutes of the Round of 16 action for promotion to Friday’s quarterfinals. Photo: Kody McGregor/WSL
Photo 3 Caption: South Africans Gabriella Herbst (in picture) and Lily Henry finished top of heat for to contest the Ballito Pro Junior QF’s on Friday. Photo: Kody McGregor/WSL
Photo 4 Caption: Basque surfer Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (in picture) and her sister Annette topped heat 3 to both win promotion to Friday Photo: Kody McGregor/WSL
Photo 5 Caption: Brazil’s Laura Raupp (in picture) is up against South Africa’s top scorer on Day 1, Louise Lepront in Friday’s quarterfinals. Photo: Kody McGregor/World Surf League
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