Cover photo: Medina was an ISA champion as a junior and only competed in one World Surfing Games in 2009, this year's in Japan could be his second. By WSL/Sloane

In a statement sent to its member nations, which DUKE was able to access, the ISA insisted on the Olympic qualification regulations that require those who qualified for the 2019 CT to participate in the 2020 World Surfing Games.

The statement says that if this is not complied with, the surfer will be disqualified from participating in Tokyo 2020.

Furthermore, it is reported that the top three finishers of the 2019 CT as of June 9 (post Margaret River), 90 days before the surfing games, are automatically nominated to defend their country in Myazaki, Japan between September 7 and 15.

If the athlete does not show up, he or she will not be able to be in Tokyo either.

In this order, it is clarified that those who were not among the top three in their country at that time, but then end the year qualifying for Tokyo, “needless to say” will not be penalized but will be required to be at the 2020 World Surfing Games.

This rule, which will make the best World Surfing Games in history take place, is not viewed favorably by emerging countries because it will limit the chances of surfers with a chance of making it to Tokyo 2020 by finding themselves in round 1 against a Gabriel Medina or a John John Florence.