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ABW Dec 2023-1

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GENERAL LUNA, Siargao, Philippines (Wednesday,<br />

November 1, <strong>2023</strong>) - John Mark Tokong (PHL)<br />

and Anon Matsuoka (JPN) have claimed victory at<br />

the <strong>2023</strong> Siargao International Surfing Cup, World<br />

Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 event. The<br />

pair overcame a massive field of Asia’s best up-and-comers<br />

to take famous wins as Cloud 9 turned on super clean twoto-three-foot<br />

surf for Finals Day.<br />

John Mark Tokong (PHL) has taken back-to-back victories<br />

at his home break of Cloud 9, staking his claim as one of<br />

the most dominant surfers ever at an individual event, with<br />

today being his fourth win from five finals and seven starts.<br />

Tokong came up against Japan’s Joh Azuchi (JPN) in the<br />

Final, and although Azuchi looked in good touch, it was all<br />

about the local hero as Tokong posted a 16.25 two-wave<br />

total (out of a possible 20), which was the highest of the<br />

entire event. Tokong boosted huge airs and threaded long<br />

tubes for the score as he moved to 12th on the WSL Asia<br />

regional rankings ahead of the Taiwan Open of Surfing QS<br />

5000, which commences in just over a week.<br />

“I’m so stoked to win again this year,” Tokong said. “It was<br />

great taking on Joh in the final, but I just felt so confident<br />

going into the heat. I just focused on my plan and on myself<br />

and avoided mistakes. I competed on the Challenger Series<br />

this year, which was an incredible experience. I want to get<br />

back there again next year, and this win will do a lot for<br />

...although Azuchi looked in<br />

good touch, it was all about the<br />

local hero as Tokong posted a<br />

16.25 two-wave total (out of<br />

a possible 20), which was the<br />

highest of the entire event.<br />

rgao<br />

SkyBrown<br />

l Surfing Cup<br />

17

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