By reaching the semi-finals of the Ichinomiya Chiba Open, a 6000-point QS event held in Japan, Costa Rican Noe Mar McGonagle guaranteed himself a giant leap in the rankings that will take him from 211th place to at least a spot in the top 30, and could even get into the top 10 if he wins the event and the top 20 if he places second.

McGonagle has 1135 points, which he has accumulated after competing unsuccessfully in Sydney, Newcastle, Martinique and Barbados. A place in the semis will earn him 3550 points, which already guarantees him a total of 4685.

This figure could be 5635 if he places second (a total of 4500) and 7135 if he wins the tournament.

Today (Japan time) he defeated Brazilian Marco Fernandez by 13 versus 10,47 and now he will face Hawaiian sensation Seth Moniz tomorrow (Japan time, afternoon in the West).

On the other hand, without a main sponsor for some time now and traveling almost on his own, the Costa Rican also pocketed at least $5500 that could become $25.000 if he wins the event.