Losing Points To Australian Surfer Jack Robinson, Rio Waida's Dream At Corona Open Mexico 2021 Kandad

Rio Waida (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - An attempt by Indonesian surfer Rio Waida to enter the quarter-finals of the Corona Open Mexico 2021 tournament failed after he was crushed by Australian surfer Jack Robinson in the round of 16 which took place at Barra De La Cruz in Oaxaca, Mexico, Thursday local time.

In the Heat 5 match, which was broadcast live on the World Surf League YouTube channel, Rio wearing a red jersey, collected 13.00 points total, while Robinson took the lead with a record score of 15.80 points.

As reported by Antara, Friday, Rio started the game well, scoring 5.00 in the first wave that put him ahead of Robinson moments ago. The two points competed until Rio got the seventh wave which recorded 7.17 which made Rio lead the temporary position.

Not long ago, Robinson managed to score 9.37 points in the seventh wave which made his score far adrift of Rio. Even so, the surfer of Indonesian-Japanese blood did not give up and kept chasing waves in the last seconds before the match ended, but only managed to score 5.63 points.

Rio received a wildcard to enter the Corona Open Mexico 2021, which is part of the World Championship Tour, a tournament that can only be participated by the world's Top 34 wave surfers.

The 21-year-old surfer is considered one of the most progressive and talented surfers from the Asia-Pacific region, and is considered to have a very strong opportunity to join the World Championship Tour.

Rio said he was happy to be able to compete in the world championship and compete with the top names.

"My dream has always been to participate in the World Championship, so I am very happy to be able to take part in the competition in Mexico," said Rio Waida to Antara.

In the previous match, Tuesday's Seeding Round, Rio occupied the top two positions in the Heat he played, so he could advance to the round of 32 without going through the elimination round.

In the round of 32, Thursday WIB, the Indonesian flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics managed to beat world number 3 surfer Filipe Toledo from Brazil to advance to the round of 16.