<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/amuro-tsuzuki" target="_blank">Amuro Tsuzuki</a></strong></em> has made history today, becoming the first-ever Japanese WSL World Surfing Champion and did so emphatically, posting huge scores all event on her way to the final where she came up against <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/alyssa-spencer" target="_blank">Alyssa Spencer</a></strong></em>. Unlike her earlier heats on Final's Day, Tsuzuki controlled the final heat in its entirety, finding two rights early to post a two-wave combination 13.00 (out of a possible 20) which ended up being enough to gift her the World Title trophy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I'm so extremely happy right now," Tsuzuki said. "It's all very overwhelming for me. It's been such an incredible event with so many different conditions I really enjoy surfing here in Taiwan. Today was really challenging with big waves and water moving everywhere, but I was so focused on not giving up and it worked for me in the end. I'm just so happy."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not only has Amuro Tsuzuki made history at the Taiwan Open of Surfing but she is a few days away from learning if she will join the elite Women's Championship Tour in 2020. Tsuzuki needs a few things to go her way at the Lululemon Maui Pro this week but her grit and determination shown on Finals Day was proof enough that she would fit in well amongst the world's best. This was personified in her Semifinal heat where, after paddling against sets for nearly 15 minutes, she got out the back exhausted and needing a score, she then turned around, took off on a set and landed the turn of the event on a massive and critical closeout section to post a 9.27 and claim a spot in the final which she eventually won.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I knew I needed to throw everything at that turn so I did and when I rode out of it I was so excited," Tsuzuki continued. "I can't do anything about my spot next year but wait and watch the results in Maui. Regardless of what happens, I'm so happy with my achievements this year."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">California's Alyssa Spencer looked to be the surfer to beat on Final's Day as she looked comfortable in the solid surf going both left and right at Jinzun Harbour. In the Final, Spencer posted a decent first score on a long left and then struggled to return to the line-up, having to exit the water and run up the beach to regain her position. Eventually, Spencer found her opportunity but failed to land her final turn after an exhaustive day of surfing and finished her campaign in Taiwan in second place.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I am disappointed to come so close and finish runner-up, but I'm so happy to see Amuro win," Spencer said. "She is a friend of mine and a great surfer so I'm really happy for her. Today was a lot of hard work in the big surf but it was a great challenge for us all. I have two more years in the juniors, so I hope to come back next year and hopefully take it out. I enjoy it a lot in Taiwan. This is my second time here and there is always waves to be had and I'm already looking forward to next year."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/lucas-vicente" target="_blank">Lucas Vicente</a></strong></em> came to Taiwan hoping to find the same success his good friend and countryman Mateus Herdy had here last year, and that would mean leaving the event with the World Title trophy. In his 35-minute final against event standout <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/kade-matson" target="_blank">Kade Matson</a></strong></em> (USA), it looked like his dreams were crushed as Matson had him needing a combination of 17.41 to take the lead. Similarly to Amuro Tsuzuki in her Semifinal, Vicente refused to give up, first posting an 8.63 to bring himself back into contention then finding one more opportunity in the dying seconds to launch a massive backside air-reverse then ride out and blast a turn and ride away to claim victory.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"This has been a dream of mine for so long and I can't believe I have achieved it," Vicente said. "I feel every heat was a battle for me including the Final. It shows to just never give up on yourself even if you need two massive scores in a final. It feels so amazing to be able to bring the Title back to Brasil the year after Mateus. The two of us have surfed together since we were kids and now, I can joke with him that I am now number one. I'm really proud to have achieved this in such a beautiful place - Taiwan is paradise.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kade Matson was the on fire in Taiwan, dominating heats with huge scores and seriously powerful backhand surfing at Jinzun Harbour. The San Clemente local posted a 17.40 heat total in the final but unfortunately. For him, it still wasn't enough to stop a rampaging Lucas Vicente. Matson can leave Taiwan with his head held high knowing he gave it his all and will have another shot at the title in 2020.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"My goal this year was to make it to the final so I'm really happy to have done that," Matson said. "Obviously winning would have been amazing but I know I couldn't have done much more right so I should be happy with myself. I got some of the best waves I've had in ages here in Taiwan, so I'm stoked. I want to win this thing still so I'll be back next year to go for it."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>About the <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">WSL</a></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The World Surf League (WSL), established in 1976, is the enablement platform for surfing and surfers worldwide. The WSL is dedicated to changing the world through the inspirational power of surfing by creating authentic events, experiences, and storytelling to inspire a growing, global community to live with purpose, originality, and stoke.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The WSL is a global organization, headquartered in Santa Monica and with regional offices in North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and EMEA. The WSL possesses a deep appreciation for the sport's rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation, and performance at the highest levels.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The WSL is comprised of Tours & Events, celebrating the world’s best surfers across all disciplines and annually running more than 180 global contests and crowning the undisputed World Champions across all divisions; WSL WaveCo, where innovation meets experience; and WSL Studios, which offers best in class storytelling across competition, lifestyle, and conservation.</div>