https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kOgc48sWjE&t=1h12m27s
The World Championship Tour is oft sold as a dream – best surfers, best waves, and all that. But for competitors trying to adjust to the life, the level of competition, and more specifically recovering from loss (see Conner Coffin’s fraction-of-a-point loss to Kelly that cost him Rookie of the Year), being a ‘CT surfer can have serious ups and downs.
Perhaps no surfer knows this better than Keanu Asing. The Hawaiian had a slow start to his second year on tour. But during the European leg, Asing defied all odds with a win in France. “I never even made a WQS final, so this is crazy to win a Championship Tour event,” he said at the time. “Every time I put on a jersey it’s to try and win, but honestly, the last time I won an event was probably as a junior. Looking at my results, I just came off a 25th at Trestles. But 90 percent is between your ears, it’s all about confidence.”
Going into Hawaii, Asing was feeling the qualification pressure, ultimately needing to beat out Kanoa Igarashi in his round 2 heat, and hope Nat Young lost out to Jadson Andre. Igarashi caught a six-point-ride in the dying minutes, though, ending Asing’s re-qualification hopes.
In an interview with Rosy Hodge following the crushing defeat, Asing is noticeably devastated – towel over his head, sulking. It’s moments like these – the lowest of lows – when people show their true colors. And in this case, Keanu Asing is a class act.
“It’s nobody’s fault but mine,” he says. “I fell. But it’s not how you fall, it’s how you get back up.” Inspiring words, Mr. Asing.
