Yang Siqi (R) of China warms up before the women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
TAHITI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- China's teenage surfer Yang Siqi put on a brave performance when the Olympic surfing competition kicked off in Tahiti on Saturday.
As the first Chinese surfer to compete in the Olympic Games, the 15-year-old Yang finished third in her heat with 5.4 points.
"The waves were very great today, and I have also caught several waves, although I didn't complete any barrel, I am happy about my performance. After all, I haven't trained here for very long," said Yang.
"Being the first to enter the water and the first to catch a wave in my heat, I am very happy."
Although Yang failed to complete any wave and was wiped out by the waves hard on several occasions, she kept trying. "I am not afraid of the wave here, so I will try to catch the next wave after each time I fall," she said.
As the youngest surfer of the Paris Olympics, Yang's performance impressed many in Teahupo'o, a venue renowned for its mighty waves.
"I got to surf with her the other day," said U.S. surfer John John Florence. "So it's amazing to see her surfing this wave in pushing the limits because it's a very scary wave."
Nadia Erostarbe of Spain topped Yang's heat to make it to the round of 16, while Yang will face Sol Aguirre of Peru in round 2 of repechage. "I want to complete a perfect barrel," said Yang.
The U.S. team had a strong start throughout the first day of the competition with all five surfers qualified for the round of 16. Florence led the men's competition with the highest score of 17.33 points while his teammate Griffin Colapinto had the top wave score for men.
In the women's categories, Caroline Marks had the highest score of 17.93 points. She shared the top three wave score with fellow American surfer and defending champion Carissa Moore, who topped her heat.
Round 2 is expected to take place on Sunday when those who didn't qualify in round 1 will vie for the remaining spots in the round of 16 in both men's and women's competitions. ■
Yang Siqi (L) of China communicates with her coach after the women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi of China competes during the women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi of China reacts after women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi of China (C) and her coach Luo Yang board a boat before women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi of China competes during women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi of China competes during women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi of China is seen before women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi (L) of China reacts after women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi (L) of China competes during women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi of China is seen before women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
This photo taken on July 27, 2024 shows a view of the judges' tower and rainbows during women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Luo Yang, coach of China's Yang Siqi, is seen before women's round 1 heat of surfing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi of China rides a wave during round one of surfing on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 27, 2024 in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/POOL/Xinhua)
China's Yang Siqi drops into a wave in the 7th heat of the women's surfing round 1, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Teahupo'o, on the French Polynesian Island of Tahiti, on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Ben Thouard/POOL/Xinhua)
China's Yang Siqi paddles out of the line up in the women's surfing round 1, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Teahupo'o, on the French Polynesian Island of Tahiti, on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Ben Thouard/POOL/Xinhua)
Yang Siqi of China paddles during round one of surfing on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 27, 2024 in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/POOL/Xinhua)
Yang Siqi of China rides a wave during round one of surfing on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 27, 2024 in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/POOL/Xinhua)
Yang Siqi of China rides a wave during round one of surfing on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 27, 2024 in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/POOL/Xinhua)
