Ethan Ewing secures ticket to Paris Olympics after J-Bay final

A world title remains within an Aussie’s reach and now an Olympic gold medal too after a big day in South Africa.

Australia’s Ethan Ewing has qualified for the Olympics. Picture: Alan Van Gysen/World Surf League

They didn’t get to lift the winners’ trophies in J-Bay but Aussies stars Ethan Ewing and Molly Picklum walked away smiling after knocking up massive career achievements.

Ewing, who finished runner-up in the final, losing to Filipe Toledo, became the first Australian to secure qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games having also locked in a spot in the final five for the season-ending World Surf League finals in California.

Surfing made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, where Owen Wright won a bronze medal for Australia and now Ewing gets his chance with the surfing to take place at the famed Teahupo’o break in Tahiti.

“It’s huge,” Ewing told the WSL.

“It’s been a huge goal of mine and to go to the Olympics, especially at a wave like Teahupo’o, it’s going to be exciting and something to work towards.”

Ethan Ewing and Molly Picklum all smiles. Picture: Beatriz Ryder/World Surf League

Rising star Picklum also headed towards Olympic qualification of her own by also finishing runner-up, to American Lakey Peterson, in South Africa.

But Picklum also locked in her own spot in the final five, a massive rise having missed last year’s mid-season cut, which forced her back to the Challenger Tour.

“It’s so good, to be officially in, is so great,” Picklum said.

Picklum says she’s still learning. Picture: Alan Van Gysen/World Surf League

“Last year I was fighting to get back here, so to find my feet and back myself, I’m still growing and learning, so I’m getting better and I’m honoured to be here,” she said.

“I feel like I’ve put blood, sweat, and tears into everything I do. I’m a super passionate and hardworking person so to get a shot at this is going to be epic.”

But as Picklum advanced, defending world champion Steph Gilmore was left in sixth spot in the rankings after losing her quarter-final battle.

Gilmore has just one more event to force her way into the final five, with fellow Aussie Tyler Wright also having booked a place in the finals.