Cover photo: ISA/Jimenez - Presents: International Surfing Association y Surf School Tubes 

Kanoa Igarashi took his change of nationality from American to Japanese very seriously and is helping the country of his ancestors become one of the great powers of world surfing like Brazil, Australia or the United States.

While there are CT tops who suddenly don't follow their team in every series, Kanoa is always in the arena with the flag in hand, vibrating series after series.

While some in the CT didn't like being forced to compete in the tournament, Kanoa loved it.

He has nothing to gain here because, as he says at the beginning of this interview, he is already qualified.

You are currently in the Top 5 of the CT, have you done the math? Do you feel you have qualified for Tokyo 2020?
Yes, I think I'm already qualified., so it feels good to be able to focus on the goal I have for next year and not have to think about qualifications. I still have some things to do, I have to do my best in the remaining CTs to go for the world title, but I will always do my best, whether I qualify or not. In short, I am very happy.

In some countries, all this about changing nations for the Olympics caused some negative reaction from the country. Did this happen to you with Japan?
From Japan? No, not from Japan (he says this laughing and considering it impossible for that to happen).

What can you tell us about Japan in general and about the surfing culture in Japan?
Surfing culture is growing very fast, faster than in any country in the world. It's very exciting to be at a time when all surfers should be united and contribute to this growth. There is a huge market here in Japan and we should give back to our sport. The more people who enjoy it, the better.

I definitely want to help promote surfing in Japan and see more Japanese people on the tour. It's a very respectful country and I think if we were more combative and passionate we could be a strong country on the tour. I'm very, very excited and motivated to lead that movement for Japanese surfing.

And at the same time you are seen going to all the series to support your team, do they ask you a lot for advice?
I am here and I support them, I want them to know that I am here for them... I want to show the support that I give, this is a very different kind of support, it is a competition for teams by countries and I feel like I am competing right now (the interview was two days before she entered the water, while she was accompanying her team), I want to try to do as much and as well as I can, help in general, in the heats, contribute with technique, in whatever, in everything I can, give all the information that I have, that was what I did last year and we achieved the first gold medal for Japan, the first time in history that that happens. I am a competitor in the event, but I also like to take on the role of coach to give the best advice when I can.

Are you thinking about Kelly's pool stage?
Yeah sure, being at this event is very important but my focus is also on the Surf Ranch so I try to balance everything and make sure I'm rested and ready for that event as well. I try to take one event at a time.

How do you see the rule that forced several members of the CT to come?
For me it was amazing, I didn't care because I was going to come anyway to represent my country and help bring more fans to the beach, help elevate the sport and create the platform for fans in Japan to see a life related to surfing.

I was always going to come and I tried to motivate other members of the CT to come here. I think it's great to come and represent your country with honor and well.

There were others who thought otherwise.
Everyone is very busy, I'm not sure but I know they have a very busy schedule and it's not easy to come, Japan is very far away, but I'm sure once they are here they are happy to see the country and also the waves we have. That's great.

Last year an Argentinian beat you in the final, how motivated are you to take revenge and win the event?
I would love to… That's how the competition is, he surfed incredibly, very well.

Are you motivated to finally win at home?
Yes, it definitely motivates me, it's hard to lose especially when you're so close, but Santiago surfs very well, it's good for the sport to have different countries in the finals, I think it's a good time to be a surfer these days and hopefully we'll have good heats in this event.