Oney Anwar wins entry to Oakley Pro Bali

Oney Anwar Claims Oakley Pro Bali Trials and Wildcard into ASP World Tour Event

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 June, 2013 : - - Lakey Peak’s Oney Anwar defeated Putra Hermawan (Nusa Lembongan) today to win the Oakley Pro Bali Trials and the coveted Indonesian wildcard spot in the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour (WCT) event that is scheduled to start tomorrow at Keramas Beach in Gianyar, Bali.

The nineteen year-old from Sumbawa has drawn world no. 3 Jordy Smith (South Africa) in the non-elimination Round One.

“I’m so happy to have won this wildcard, especially because it’s here in my home country,” said Anwar.  “It’s my second wildcard into a WCT event actually, the first one was at Bells Beach in Australia back in March, but this is really special because its here in Indonesia.”

In addition to winning the wildcard, Anwar takes home $2,500 USD today as well as 3,500 valuable ASC championship points, which makes him the current ratings leader on the ASC tour.  He is also assured of at least another $8,000 USD for his participation in the Oakley Pro Bali.  Not bad for a kid from a tiny beachside town in Sumbawa.

Anwar was up against Putra Hermawan in the 35 minute final, which took place this afternoon in wind affected 2-3 foot surf at Keramas, and took control from the start, locking into wave after to wave to leave Hermawan out of rhythm and in a combination situation for most of the final.  Anwar posted some of the highest heat scores of the day in the final, first a 9.0 (out of a possible 10 points), for a massive air reverse and then putting it away with another 8.0 point wave for a heat total of 17.0 points out of a possible 20.

Hermawan and Anwar have been battling it out in finals since their grommet years here in Indonesia, so it was a familiar situation for both.  Hermawan is a previous ISC (Indonesian Surfing Championships) Open, Pro Junior and Junior champion, and was clearly disappointed with not putting up better scores.  “I wish I could have done better,” said Hermawan, searching for words.  “I just couldn’t seem to find the good waves and get some points.”

Anwar is regarded as Indonesia’s most promising hope to someday join the WCT, and attended Palm Beach Currumbin (PBC) High School on Australia’s Gold Coast. He was a part of the school’s sports excellence program, and over his four-year tour in Australia Anwar learned to surf in colder conditions and cope with long periods away from his home as well as speak fluent English - all crucial factors in a successful international surfing career.

Both surfers put on great displays of high performance surfing over the 3 days of competition, which started off with two days at Canggu before moving over the Keramas today.  As an ASC Premium event, the top 16 ranked ASC surfers were joined by 8 special invitees including Rizal Tanjung, Lee Wilson, Made “Bol” Adi Putra and several others, in the quest for a win and wildcard spot.

To see a recap of all the action that went down at the Oakley Pro Bali Trials, see asiansurfingtour.com/events/oakleyprobali for photos, videos, heat draws, scores and more.

Oakley Pro Bali Trials Results:

Final
1.  Oney Anwar (Sumbawa)
2.  Putra Hermawan (Nusa Lembongan)
3rd (Equal)  Raditya Rondi  (Kuta) - Tipi Jabrik (Seminyak)

Quarterfinals
1 Putra Hermawan def Wayan Susiana
2. Tipi Jabrik def Made Adi Putra
3.  Oney Anwar def Lee Wilson
4.  Raditya Rondi def Dede Suryana

Semifinals
1.  Putra Hermawan def Tipi Jabrik
2.  Oney Anwar def Raditya Rondi