A day of legends shining brightly and new blood on the rise saw the opening day of the 2025 Japan World Cup shine for the World Wave Tour.

Japan’s most successful windsurfer of all time Motoko Sato (Severne Windsurfing) also shone brightly on day 1. After many heats in the wild Omaezaki wind she once again came out on top. Powerful top turns, perfect high radical rotation jumps, and a determined and fearless approach saw her take the crown.

Second in the Women’s Final was young Natsuki Wakasa, followed by Chieko Tagai, both powerful Japanese performers. The all Japan final excited the Japanese crowd on the beach. They cheered wildy for their champions.

Brazilian 4 x World Champion Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC) dominated his first heat to post the highest heat total of the day and set the tone for a year where he’s clearly determined to win another world title.

The legends weren’t the only ones to shine. Young Brazilian rider Jahdan Tyger (Starboard / Severne Windsurfing) has returned to the World Wave Tour after two years of injury setbacks and he made some noise. Finally in top physical shape he’s booked his ticket to travel the tour this year with a plan to attend the 4 star events and work his way up the rankings.

Right now, he’s in his first event returning to the tour, he has no current or rolling ranking to help him, so he had to start in round one with the Challengers and fight his way through to meet the advance seed riders and the big names of the sport.

He could have buckled under that pressure, but he didn’t. He blasted his way to the top of every heat with a dazzling display of huge jumps and radical rotations. Years of sailing at his home spot in Jericoacoara, Brazil where starboard jumping conditions are perfect, has crafted his skill. The kid can jump.

After he made it into the main bracket to meet the advance seeds there was a question about how he may handle the World Class standard. Instead of being intimidated he schooled the legendary Antoine Martin (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing) to take the heat win and relegate Antoine to second place in the seeding round. Antoine is fine, still advancing to round 6, but the crowd has seen a new young star make his claim, and it was frankly exhilarating.

Today was all about the Challengers and the mighty Women. Tomorrow will be all about men and we’ll crown more champions just before sunset.

The forecast is for more incredible conditions with a lot of strong wind and perfect sun glistening wave ramps to launch our heroes into the sky. Expect giant jumps, ultra radical rotations and high drama here in Japan. Photo Credit: Harimoto Akihiko