SURFING CHAMP. Siargao surfer John Mark Tokong captures the international Qualifying Series 3000 held from March 2-5, 2023 at the Okuragahama Beach in the port of Hyuga, Japan. Tokong’s win is greeted with pride by local officials, including Surigao del Norte 1st District Representative Francisco Jose Matugas II. (Photo grabbed from UPSA Facebook Page)
BUTUAN CITY – A professional surfer from Siargao Island captured the crown of the March 2-5 international Qualifying Series 3000 (QS3000) in Japan, an official said Monday.
“Congratulations John Mark Tokong. You did it again. Thank you for bringing honor to our country and for making our home island, Siargao, known to the world,” Surigao del Norte 1st District Representative Francisco Jose Matugas II said in a statement.
Tokong was crowned champion during the surfing event held at Okuragahama Beach in the port city of Hyuga, Japan, which was sanctioned by the World Surf League (WSL).
Results posted on the WSL website said Tokong played in the finals on Sunday against Japan's Daiki Tanaka.
In the final event, Tokong secured 6.5 points in his first wave and 6.3 points in the second wave, giving him 12.8 total points.
Tanaka only got 6.25 points in the first wave and 5 points in the second wave, or a total of 11.2 points.
Another Siargao surfer, Noah Arkfeld placed 13th in the tourney's finals.
The United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA) said Tokong’s win has put him in 4th place in the WSL Qualifying Series Asia Region.
“Tokong hopes to progress and qualify for the WSL Challenger series where he will face top-tier surfers from around the globe,” the UPSA said in a statement Monday. (PNA)
