Raglan's Billy Stairmand has become the second Kiwi surfer to claim an Oceania slot for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after an impressive performance at the ISA World Surfing Games in Japan.
Stairmand successfully surfed through five rounds of competition to make the final 16, booking his ticket to next year's Games, also in Japan.
He joins Ella Williams, who claimed the women's Oceania slot for Tokyo earlier in the week.
"I didn't want to know about the Olympics stuff, and I didn't go on the internet or anything," Stairmand said afterwards.
"I just wanted to keep making heats and worry about it later. People were asking, and interviewers were saying things, but I just had my head down and did my job.
"But now I am pretty freaking stoked. I honestly can't believe it. It's been a huge day, and I'm still trying to wind down.
"This is a dream come true, and I cannot wait for the future. But, I still have a job to do, and that is to finish this competition strong."
Surfing will be making its Olympic debut next year at Shidashita Beach, 64km outside of Tokyo.
Newshub.
