Andy Irons surfs past Slater in Japan final
Advertiser Staff
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Kaua'i's Andy Irons won his first major contest of the year, defeating Florida's Kelly Slater in the final of the Quiksilver Pro Japan men's surfing event today.
The final day of the week-long competition was completed in 6- to 8-foot waves at Malibu Reef near Hebara Beach, Japan.
Irons had a near-perfect final, receiving scores of 9.93 (out of 10) and 9.5 for a total of 19.43.
Slater held the lead for most of the 35-minute heat, but Irons scored his 9.93 wave with around six minutes remaining. Slater finished with a two-wave score of 18.06.
Irons, the three-time defending world champion, received $30,000 for the victory. Slater, who owns a record six world championships, received $16,000.
Slater is still rated No. 1 on the 2005 World Championship Tour, although Irons drew closer at No. 2.
The Quiksilver Pro Japan was the seventh of 11 events on the tour. Slater has 6,374 points to Irons' 5,796.
Bruce Irons, Andy's younger brother, was eliminated in the fourth round along with Wai'anae's Sunny Garcia. Bruce Irons and Garcia each received $3,500.
Among other Hawai'i surfers in the overall ratings, Bruce Irons is No. 10, Fred Patacchia Jr. is No. 12, Garcia is No. 37 and Kalani Robb is No. 39.
The next event on the tour is the Boost Mobile Pro, Sept. 13 to 18 at Lower Trestles, Calif.
TENNIS
LAJOLA WINS OPENER AT U.S. OPEN JUNIORS
'Aiea's Dennis Lajola won his first-round match in the U.S. Open junior boys tournament yesterday at New York, defeating Japan's Sho Aida, 6-3, 6-1.
Lajola, 16, is coming off a semifinal appearance at the U.S. Tennis Association Boys 16 National Championship at Kalamazoo, Mich., in August.
