Presents the International Surfing Association

One of the most exciting battles that will take place at these World Surfing Games will not have to do directly with the results and the definition of the world champion, but with the Olympic qualification, which is a regional event.

Basically, the Europeans will be looking at each other, and the same with those from Oceania, Asia and Africa. It will take more importance, heat by heat, at certain times in the event, whether one Asian is above the other than who ends up winning the gold.

The different continental groups are formed as follows:

EUROPE:

Austria, Denmark, Spain, France, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia and Turkey

ASIA:

Afghanistan, China, Taipei, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Lebanon, Maldives, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand, 

OCEANIA:

American Samoa, Australia, Fiji, Guam and New Zealand

AFRICA:

Morocco, Senegal and South Africa.

It is worth saying that at first glance, the most competitive qualifiers will be those in Europe and Asia, and the least so in Oceania and Africa. For the latter, it is difficult to imagine that South Africa will not set foot in Tokyo 2020 (Jordy Smith is already assured by the CT and a second is very likely to do so through this tournament).

On a more specific note, it also seems highly likely that New Zealand will set foot in Tokyo 2020. In Oceania, Australia is fully guaranteed through the CT and the Kiwis' level is far superior to their neighbours Guam, Fiji and American Samoa.

For Europe, the fight between Spain, Portugal, Great Britain and the talented extradited athletes from Germany, Holland and Switzerland, among others, will be interesting. At the men's level, France has Jeremy Flores and Michel Bourez practically qualified for Tokyo and at the women's level, Johanne Defay. In this gender, Vahine Fierro and Canelle Boulard will have a chance to fight for qualification.

In Asia, Japan is the home favourite and could earn the second available spot (Kanoa Igarashi is already in Tokyo 2020), but the talents of Indonesia, Israel and the Philippines should not be overlooked.

*Previously, Israel was placed under Asia and it is now correctly placed under Europe in the Olympic movement. Apologies to all those affected by the error.