Bronson Meydi (INA) has claimed a historic win today in the Philippines, becoming the first Indonesian to not only win the World Junior Championships, but win any WSL World Title. He achieved this after an impressive showing in the Final against one of the event standouts, Winter Vincent (AUS). After an incredible season that saw the exciting young natural footer win all three qualifying events, Meydi now celebrates the biggest event of his life and books a spot on the 2025 Challenger Series for his efforts.

“This feels so amazing, and I’m still a bit in shock,” Meydi said. “To do this for Indonesia feels so special. I’m super proud to bring this trophy home. It’s been an amazing week here in the Philippines. I always love my time here, and it just got a whole lot more special.”

The Final was one for the history books, with both surfers putting on incredible performances from the minute it started. Vincent continued his strong run of form at Monaliza Point, posting a two-wave total of 17.84 (out of a possible 20) for his perfect mixture of power and progression. Meydi, who had been building all event slowly, saved his best until last, posting a perfect 10-point ride for two massive full-rotation air-reverses, then backing it up to post an 18.80 two-wave total, the highest of the entire event.

“I knew I would have to go big against Winter [Vincent],” Meydi said. “He has been the guy to beat all week, and his surfing is amazing. I want to congratulate him on making the Final and having such a great performance here. I’m just super happy with this and look forward to celebrating with all my friends and family who support me so much.”

Luana Silva Becomes First Brazilian Woman to Claim World Junior Championship

Luana Silva (BRA) is the first Brazilian woman to win the WSL World Junior Title, beating Kana Nakashio (JPN) in a super exciting Final at Urbiztondo Beach. The 2024 Brazilian Olympic team member and former Championship Tour competitor has had a massive couple of years competitively, but today, she claimed her biggest win yet and made history doing so.

“This feels so good,” Silva said. “I have no words for this. I’ve been going through a bit of a rough time, I recently lost a good childhood friend of mine. I think she sent me that last wave, and this one is definitely for her. This is for her and her family, which feels so good.”

The pair went back and forth, trading mid-range scores, with Nakashio holding the advantage for the majority of the heat. Then, with 90 seconds left, Silva took a wave and took a narrow lead before Nakashio did the same, taking back the top spot. Just before the buzzer went, Silva found one more wave, smashing two quick vertical re-entries to get the score and win the heat with a two-wave total of 12.23 (out of a possible 20).

“I grinded through all of my heats,” Silva continued. “I never really found a great wave and surfed scrappy heats, but I guess I did a good enough job in each heat to get through and get the job done. I’m just so happy right now.”

Winter Vincent and Kana Nakashio Finish Runners-Up at Urbiztondo Beach

Australian upstart Winter Vincent (AUS) was the stand-out performer of the entire event up until the Final, posting the highest single wave scores and heat totals of every round. By the end of the week, Vincent owned three of the top five heat totals of the event, including the second highest, which he posted in the Final. His combination of searing frontside rail turns and fins-free above-the-lip maneuvers were a highlight of the event, and although he fell short of the win, Vincent was proud of his performance here in the Philippines.

“This is definitely the biggest event I have ever been in, so I’m stoked to make the Final,” Vincent said. “Obviously, it would have been great to go one step further, but I’m really happy with how I surfed. I have loved my time in the Philippines ; the waves have been fun, and the people are so nice. Congrats to Bronson on taking the win, his surfing today was on another level and if was fun to be a part of it and push one and other.”

Kana Nakashio (JPN) came to La Union this week, having won a Qualifying Series (QS) event at the location this time last year, and her connection with the wave was evident through every round. The super smooth natural footer was in great touch, posting some of the highest heat totals of each round. In the Final, Nakashio fell just short but will once again leave the Philippines with a huge result as she now shits her focus on Challenger Series qualification.

“I’m really happy to make the Final here,” Nakashio said. “Luana is such an amazing surfer and I’m happy for her to win this event. I love the Philippines and always have such a good time here with so many fun waves. I can’t wait to come back.”