Olympic Games | Chinese teen Yang makes brave debut as Olympic surfing action kicks off in Tahiti

Yang Siqi (R) of China warms up before the first round of the women’s surfing session of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

TAHITI, July 27 (Xinhua) — Chinese teenage surfer Yang Siqi put in a brave performance on Saturday as the Olympic surfing competition in Tahiti got underway.

As the first Chinese surfer to compete at the Olympics, 15-year-old Yang finished third in her series with 5.4 points.

“The waves were really good today and I also caught several waves, although I didn’t complete any barrels, I’m happy with my performance. After all, I haven’t been training here for very long,” said Yang.

“I’m really happy to be the first one in the water and the first one to catch a wave in my heat.”

Although Yang failed to complete any waves and was swept away by waves several times, she kept trying. “I’m not afraid of the wave here, so I’ll try to catch the next wave after I fall,” she said.

As the youngest surfer at the Paris Olympics, Yang impressed many with his performance in Teahupo’o, a location known for its powerful waves.

“I got to surf with her the other day,” said American surfer John John Florence. “So it’s amazing to see her surf this wave and push the boundaries, because it’s a really scary wave.”

Spain’s Nadia Erostarbe bested Yang to reach the round of 16, while Yang will face Peru’s Sol Aguirre in the repechage round 2. “I want to complete a perfect barrel,” Yang said.

The U.S. team had a strong start on the first day of competition, with all five surfers qualifying for the round of 16. Florence led the men’s competition with the highest score of 17.33 points, while his teammate Griffin Colapinto had the highest wave score in the men’s event.

In the women’s categories, Caroline Marks had the highest score of 17.93 points. She shared the top three wave score with fellow American surfer and reigning champion Carissa Moore, who won her heat.

The second round is expected to take place on Sunday, with those who failed to qualify in the first round battling it out for the remaining spots in the round of 16 in both the men’s and women’s events.

Yang Siqi (L) of China communicates with her coach after the first round of the women’s surfing session of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Yang Siqi of China competes in the first round of the women’s surfing event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Yang Siqi of China reacts after the first heat of the women’s surfing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Yang Siqi of China (center) and her coach Luo Yang board a boat for the first round of the women’s surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Yang Siqi of China competes in the first round of the women’s surfing event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Yang Siqi of China competes in the first round of the women’s surfing event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Yang Siqi of China during the first round of the women’s surfing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Yang Siqi (L) of China reacts after the first heat of the women’s surfing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Yang Siqi (L) of China competes in the first round of the women’s surfing event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Yang Siqi of China during the first round of the women’s surfing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

This photo taken on July 27, 2024, shows a view of the judges’ tower and rainbows during the first heat of the women’s surfing competition of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Luo Yang, coach of China’s Yang Siqi, during the first round of the women’s surfing competition of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Yang Siqi of China rides a wave during the first round of surfing on the first day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 27, 2024 in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/POOL/Xinhua)

China’s Yang Siqi dives into a wave during the 7th heat of the first round of the women’s surfing event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia’s Tahiti island, on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Ben Thouard/POOL/Xinhua)

China’s Yang Siqi paddles out of the starting blocks during the first round of the women’s surfing event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia’s Tahiti island, on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Ben Thouard/POOL/Xinhua)

Yang Siqi of China paddles during the first round of surfing on the first day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 27, 2024 in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/POOL/Xinhua)

Yang Siqi of China rides a wave during the first round of surfing on the first day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 27, 2024 in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/POOL/Xinhua)

Yang Siqi of China rides a wave during the first round of surfing on the first day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 27, 2024 in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/POOL/Xinhua)

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Wang Shasha