Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte—Philippine surfing idol John Mark Tokong stayed calm in the face of grinding pressure to rule the 25th Siargao International Surfing Cup finals for the second time Wednesday at the iconic Cloud 9 here.
Cool and composed, Tokong, who will spearhead the country’s gold-medal bid in the Southeast Asian Games, edged Hawaiian standout Noah Beschen in a final to remember, 16.80-16.75, to erase the bitter memories of his finals’ loss last year to Skip McCullough of the United States.
‘’I dedicate this win to my townmates and my family. I just dont want to disappoint them,’’ said Tokong, 23.
He also thanked Siargao Rep. Bingo Matugas and Governor Francisco ‘’ Lalo’’ Matugas for their wholehearted support.
Rep. Matugas and guest of honor and Secretary Martin Andanar led an array of government and LGU officials in the awarding ceremony Wednesday night at the Boulevard. There were songs and dances and video presentations featuring the past champions of the event.
On top of the $5,000 champion’s purse, Tokong, a well-loved figure here, also went home with former General Luna Mayor Jaime Rusillon trophy. Rusillon is credited for opening Siargao to the surfing world.
Will Hayden Smith of the governing World Surf League and tournament director described the final confrontation between Tokong and Beschen as the best ever. He also described the organization of the event as fantastic.
To the delight of the crowd, Tokong dispatched Indonesian rival Oney Anwar in ther semifinals, before treating the near-delirious crowd to masterful surfing with a 19.05-15-30 triumph over Costa Rican’s standout Tomas King in the semifinals. Tokong’s rounds included a 9.50, which he further improved to a near-perfect 9.55 to stay in the hunt for the $5,000 champion’s purse.
Tokong, a native of the municipality of General Luna, finished second to deposed champion Skip McCullough of the United States last year. He won the World Surf League-sanctioned event in 2015.
Beschen ousted Australian Callum Robson in the quarterfinals before ending the fairy-tale run of Indonesian youngster Bronson Meydi in the semifinals. The 15-year-old Meydi shocked New Zealander Elliot Paerata Reid in the quarterfinals.
Rep. Matugas and the provincial government, headed by Governor Francisco ‘’Lalo’’ Matugas organized the event. Siargao International is presented by Globe and Sprite and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission headed by Butch Ramirez and the Department of Tourism.
