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Jamaica finish in 43rd spot at ISA World Surfing Games

Published:Saturday | June 10, 2023 | 12:54 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
Jamaica surfers from left: Javaun Brown, Imani Wilmot, Icah Wilmot and Elishama Beckford pose with International Surfing Association President Fernando Iguerre (centre) at the World Surfing Games in EL Salvador.
Photo credit: ISA
Jamaica surfers from left: Javaun Brown, Imani Wilmot, Icah Wilmot and Elishama Beckford pose with International Surfing Association President Fernando Iguerre (centre) at the World Surfing Games in EL Salvador.

The 2023 International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games (WSG) in El Salvador is now history with Jamaica’s four-member team finishing in 43rd position out of 63 competing nations.

The Jamaicans ended with 432 total team points, which is six points less than Guam (42nd) and 15 more than 44th-ranked South Korea.

Once again, Elishama Beckford contributed the most points to the team’s cause after making it to repechage three before exiting the competition.

Beckford secured 144 points to finish in 73rd place in the men’s individual ranking. His teammate Javaun Brown was the next best performer after also making it to repechage three.

The rookie contributed 120 points to finish in 85th place with veteran Icah Wilmot, who dropped out in repechage two, contributing 96 points and finishing in 97th position.

Jamaica’s lone female, Imani Wilmot, rattled up 72 points to finish in 109th position.

For team leader Wilmot, the games were a successful one for the team with regard to the level of surfing which was on display.

“The performances that we put on have been impressive, and a lot of people have come up to me and highlighted how well the team was surfing and that the level of surfing has been rising,” said Wilmot.

Four men and four women representing Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania booked their ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. With next year’s ISA WSG being in Puerto Rico, Jamaica will have their chance to punch a ticket to Los Angeles in 2028.

“It is a strong showing, as we beat quite a lot of countries and it’s a good set-up in positioning ourselves for next year, which is when we can qualify for the next Olympics,” added Wilmot.

In the meantime, Alan Cleland Jr of Mexico secured the gold medal, with Lucca Mesinas of Peru copping the silver and his teammate, Miguel Tudela, securing the bronze. Kanoa Igarashi of Japan finished fourth and claimed the copper medal.

On the female side, Tatiana Weston-Webb of Brazil took home the gold medal ,with Erin Brooks of Canada finishing second. Johanne Defay of France was third, with Vahine Fierro, also of France, finishing fourth.

Peru secured the team title, with France placing second, Brazil third, and Japan fourth.