Australia crowned junior surf champs despite shocking act of unsportsmanship from rival

Australia have been crowned world junior surfing champions with two gold medals despite a shocking act of unsportsmanship that threatened to derail their title bid in El Salvador.

A Portugal surfer (left) tries to push Aussie girl Willoy Hardy (right) off her board and intimidate her during the world junior surfing event in El Salvador. https://www.instagram.com/p/C6zT1zqvXaZ/

Australia have been crowned world junior surfing champions despite a shocking act of unsportsmanship that almost derailed their title bid.

Australia’s Irukandjis won the ISA world junior championships in El Salvador, sealing the overall title for the first time in more than a decade in a dominant showing that included gold medals for Dane Henry and Ziggy Aloha Mackenzie.

But it was the effort of U18 competitor Willow Hardy that took the spotlight after she came under attack from a rival in the U18 women’s repechage.

Sitting in fourth place in the four-woman heat and needing a score of 2.4 to advance with less than a minute remaining, Hardy took off on a wave, only to suffer interference from Portugal’s Erica Maximo White.

Maximo, who was disqualified and later issued a tearful apology on social media, first dropped in on Hardy before attempting to push the Aussie off her board, yelling abuse at her and trying to grab her leash.

Showing incredible poise under pressure, Hardy somehow stayed upright, with Maximo’s attempt to help her Portuguese teammate remain in the top-two and advance from the heat, proving futile as Hardy notched the score needed to advance.

Irukandjis coach Pete Duncan lodged a successful protest, resulting in Máximo’s disqualification.

A Portugal surfer (left) tries to push Aussie girl Willoy Hardy (right) off her board.

“While there is a tactical element to competitive surfing, there is no place for unsporting conduct,” Duncan said.

“We are incredibly proud of the way Willow remained composed in what was an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situation.”

Máximo later apologised via Instagram, expressing regret to Hardy, the Australian Team, and the ISA.

“Yesterday we had a situation I recognise was not my brightest moment,” she said.

Dane Henry after taking out the gold medal. Picture: ISA/Pablo Franco

“I committed an interference on the Australian surfer’s wave and in an unsportsmanship manner.

“That was not my goal. I just wanted to help my team but I recognise my mistake and I am here to apologise, especially to the Australian surfer, the Australian team and the ISA.

“These situations can’t happen.

“I realised the repercussions of this incident and assure you all that something like this will never happen again.”

Henry became the first Aussie to win the U18 division in 15 years, the team captain calling the event the “best experience of my life”, while Mackenzie said she was blown away to win the U16 girls title.

Surfing Australia National High-Performance Director Kate Wilcomes said the Irukandjis’ victory represented where Australian surfing was at and the level of dominance it wanted to continue to deliver.

“This team and the support staff have not only worked hard, but they have also built and embraced the Irukandji’s fighting spirit. We are all so proud of each and every one of these athletes and how they have represented Australia.”

Originally published as Australia crowned junior surf champs despite shocking act of unsportsmanship from rival