<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2023/qs/158/krui-pro/main" target="_blank">2023 Krui Pro</a> World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 5,000 and Pro Junior finished on Sunday with no shortage of dramatic moments. The 4-6 foot waves running down the Ujung Bocur point provided excellent albeit challenging conditions, with an onshore wind arriving right on time for the Finals. <strong>Morgan Cibilic </strong>(AUS) and <strong>Anon Matsuoka </strong>(JPN) won the Men’s and Women’s QS 5,000 and <strong>Bronson Meydi</strong> (INA) and <strong>Kana Nakashio</strong> (JPN) claimed the Pro Junior titles. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The onshore changed the game, with the usual take-off spots no longer in play. It took some time for the competitors to figure out the lineup, and it was <strong>Morgan Cibilic</strong> (AUS) who managed to get an excellent 8.00 and 6.83 (out of a possible 10) for a total of 14.83 (out of a possible 20) and take the win over fellow Australian <strong>Kyuss King</strong> in the 35-minute final.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It was really tricky,” admitted Cibilic. “The first wave of the set was so bumpy and flat so it wasn’t worth going, but I didn’t figure that out until after that first set. On my best wave, Kyuss let me go and it was bumpy at the start, but then it pocketed really nice, was steep and fluffy, and perfect to hit. I didn’t know what the score would be, I thought maybe a high 6 or 7, so I was really stoked when I heard it was an 8.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“This trip has been epic, as I was coming here with no expectations, so I think that’s one of the reasons I did well. I just wanted to have fun, hang out with my mates, and get some really good waves, so I’m over the moon to get the win.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the Women’s Final, <strong>Anon Matsuoka </strong>(JPN) had just a few minutes to reset and refocus after coming off a runner-up finish in the Pro Juniors. It was an agonizingly narrow defeat, so to come back and win the QS 5,000 was the vindication of her mental and physical strength as a competitor. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“This is such a big win for me, because it’s a QS 5,000 event, and so important for me to to go the next Challenger Series. I’m so happy and so excited to get this win,” said Matsuoka. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“My mental situation was like, oh no, I can’t catch any waves, I was so nervous. I really felt a lot of pressure and tired, but I just had to change my mind and keep looking for a good wave. During the first 20 minutes I couldn’t catch anything, so I thought maybe I’m going to lose this final also. I was lucky that a set came, so I could get three really good turns and get the score I needed.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Men’s Pro Junior final was set to be an exciting clash between the top performers. <strong>Bronson Meydi </strong>(INA) and <strong>Westen Hirst </strong>(INA), who grew up surfing together in Lakey Peak, Sumbawa, <strong>Made Ariyana</strong> (INA) from Bali and <strong>Monnojo Yahagi</strong> (JPN) had all been delivering amazing performances throughout the event, but it was Meydi who came out on top.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It feels great, I had a great final out there with Westen. He was ripping, but I’m stoked to get the win,” said Meydi. “This is my biggest win so far, and I hope it gets better. It was a tough final, especially because I’m on my backside and Westen is a goofy-footer and super good. It was a bit tricky, but the other guys kept going on the fast waves, so I managed to get a couple of the slower ones and get some turns in to get the scores. Monnojo was such a big threat also, as he’s been ripping all event long, so I’m sure he could have won if he didn’t fall on his waves”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Pro Junior Women’s division had a last-minute surprise winner in<strong> Kana Nakashio</strong> (JPN), who saved her best for last and came from behind to best <strong>Anon Matsuoka</strong> (JPN). Mastuoka had held the lead for all but the last few minutes when Nakashio posted a 7.50, the highest scoring wave of the heat, then nailed a 5.40 to seal her victory. It was a big surprise to both competitors, who admitted with the strong wind they couldn’t hear the scores until they were back on the beach.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“This was a very important contest for me, as I want to win the World Pro Juniors, so I’m really happy to win here at Krui,” said Nakashio. “To win over Anon was very difficult, as she is such a good surfer, so I’m very excited and happy right now.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The event closed with a special traditional ceremony where the winners were awarded their trophies and this concludes the first QS and Pro Junior event of the season for the APAC Region.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Krui Pro is sponsored by the Government of Pesisir Barat (South Sumatra) with support by Bobobox, and organized by the Asian Surf Cooperative (ASC) under the authority of Persatuan Selancar Ombak Indonesia (PSOI)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Watch LIVE</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Krui Pro will run at Ujung Bocur from June 12-18. Watch it LIVE on <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">WorldSurfLeague.com</a>, the WSL’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@wsl" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a>, and the free <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/app" target="_blank">WSL app</a>.</div>