Australia has two new world champions, with Jocelyn Neumueller (Park Holme, SA) and Kai Colless (Burleigh Heads, QLD) winning gold medals in their divisions at the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship over the weekend.
The Irukandjis Para Surfing Team took home a total of eight individual medals and an overall bronze at Surf City USA, Huntington Beach. Joel Taylor (Lennox Head, NSW) claimed silver, while Emma Dieters (Mona Vale, NSW) and Cliff Gralton (Tuncurry, NSW) secured bronze. Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (Byron Bay, NSW), Kirk Watson (Mona Vale, NSW) and Matt Formston (Wamberal, NSW), each earned copper in their respective divisions, and Michael Foti (Nowra, NSW) made it through to the Semi Finals in his division.
Jocelyn Neumueller said: “I am stoked that we were able to take out the World Championship title in the Prone 2 category in such challenging conditions. It really tops off what was a great week, scoring the top two highest heat totals of the comp, and is a testament to the hard work my whole team has put in this year.
“Getting to lead our team as co-captain and achieve a team bronze medal just took the experience to a whole new level! I couldn’t be prouder of the team and what we achieved together.
“Massive shout-out to Insurance Advisernet for backing us this season! Their support amped everyone up, and it was awesome to bring home our first team medal since I started in 2021.”
Kai Colless said: “It feels incredible to take the gold and be crowned 2024 ISA World Champion, but even more so in the same year as winning back-to-back AASP 2023 and 2024 Professional World Championships.
“Representing my country and being part of the Irukandjis Team has been an absolute honour. Being on the beach each day and celebrating all of our team’s achievements has been amazing, and I’m really grateful for our team coach Josh and his input and encouragement this past week. I’m going home to graduate high school this coming Friday, so I’m looking forward to celebrating with all my family and friends.”
Also competing as part of the Irukandjis Team were Chris Astill (St Leonards, NSW), Chris Blowes (Netley, SA) and Annie Goldsmith (Erindale, SA) who all made it through to Round 2 of their respective divisions. Joining them at Huntington Beach were Head Coach, Josh Fuller and Team Manager, Byron Hoskins.
Team Results:
1st – France
2nd – United States
3rd – Australia
For full results, video highlights and all high-res photos from the event, visit isasurf.org.
The Irukandjis Para Surfing Team are proudly supported by Insurance Advisernet.
Kai Colless (top) and Jocelyn Neumueller (bottom) win gold in their divisions at the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship. Credit: ISA / Pablo Franco
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