Indigenous Hawaiian Wins Gold in Tokyo at First-Ever Olympic Surfing Event

Jul 30, 20210

count

Carissa Moore rides a wave on July 26, 2016. Moore became the first Olympic champion in women's surfing at the Tokyo Games. (Photo/Troy Williams, Flickr)

ICHINOMIYA, Japan - Native Hawaiian Carissa Moore won gold in women's surfing on Tuesday in the sport's Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games.

Competing for Team USA, the 28-year-old pro surfer defeated South Africa's Bianca Buitendag 14.93 to 8.46, in Ichinomiya, Japan. Buitendag won silver and Japan's Amuro Tsuzuki took bronze.

"This was such a special moment for surfing," Moore wrote in an Instagram post following her win. "I'm so proud of all the athletes for how they showed up the last few days, put it all on the line, and shared our sport in the best way possible. Big mahalo to (USA surfing) team and coach (Brett Simpson). The last two weeks I will remember for the rest of my life."

https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/indigenous-hawaiian-wins-women-s-gold-in-tokyo-at-first-ever-olympic-surfing-event