JEJU ISLAND, Republic of Korea (Sunday, June 17th, 2012) - The ever first international pro surfing event in South Korea, the MURASAKI QUIKSILVER JEJU OPEN of Surfing concluded at Jungmun Beach in Jeju Island and crowed the inaugural event champion. The conditions at Jungmun Beach were 2 feet (1 meter) with sunny skies. Young gun Connor O’Leary (Cronulla beach, NSW/AUS) takes the win over former elite ASP World Championship Tour surfer Nathan Hedge (North Narrabeen, NSW/AUS) in an exciting final and is crowed champion today.
O’Leary put on a sensational performance in the Final, scoring a 9.00 (out of a possible 10) on his opening ride and backing that up with a 9.50. With two solid waves under his belt O’Leary put all of the pressure on hi opponent and when the siren sounded he was crowned event champion.
“The waves were really fun at the start of the Final,” O’Leary said. “Then the tide turned and got a bit more difficult, luckily I got some good scores early in the heat and they were enough to give me the win. This is a huge result for me, it’s the best I’ve ever done at a contest.”
Hedge put a fight in the final, posting some solid scores, an 8.00 and 8.50 for a combined heat total of 16.50 but it wasn’t enough to overcome his younger opponent.
“He’s having a blinder at this comp,” said Hedge. “He was a better man on the day, congrats to Connor (O’Leary), he’s been on fire all event. Thanks to the people of Korea and Jeju island, and all the sponsors, this event has been great.”
Murasaki Sports has been supporting surfing events in the Republic of Korea for a decade now, and 2012 will mark the first year that the event has been officially sanctioned by the ASP JAPAN.
