Clinches another shot at the Challenger Series

Nanaho Tsuzuki locked in back-to-back titles as the top-ranked surfer in the QS Asia region. Coming into the final event of the season at Phillip Island, she was already sitting in the #1 spot, and when the event wrapped up, her position remained untouched. She stayed on top, secured her Challenger Series ticket, and proved once again why she’s a powerhouse in Asian surfing.

This isn’t her first rodeo on the Challenger Series—she’s been here before, and she knows exactly what it takes to go up against the best. With another season of QS excellence under her belt, she’s rolling into the new season with momentum and experience on her side.

We caught up with Nanaho to talk about her season, the road ahead, and what it means to top the rankings two years in a row. Let’s hear what she has to say.

Q: Congratulations on clinching the #1 spot in the QS Asia region for the second consecutive year! What does it mean to you to achieve this again, and how does it feel to top the rankings in back-to-back seasons?

A:  I’m truly grateful to everyone who has supported me. This first place is something I achieved together with all of you. I’m thrilled to have become number one in Asia twice, and I feel proud of completing this season, which motivates me for the upcoming Challenger Series. It’s an honor to represent Asia on the Challenger Series, but I also feel a responsibility to keep growing both technically and mentally.

Q: You’ve been on the Challenger Series before, and now you’ve secured your spot again for 2025. What have you learned from your previous Challenger Series experience that will help you this time around?

A: I believe I have grown a lot through the experience I’ve gained. In particular, the ability to stay focused and have more mental space has become a great strength.

Q: The final event of the season at Phillip Island must have been intense. How did you manage to stay focused and perform at such a high level throughout the whole year to maintain your lead?

A: Phillip Island was a great place with good weather and waves. To stay focused and perform well in tough conditions, I focused on my surfing and enjoyed the competition. Regardless of the situation, I never lost my drive to win, and by learning from each experience and applying it.

Q: Looking back on your 2024 season, were there any particular moments or events that stood out to you as the most challenging or rewarding?

A: The most challenging time was when I went a long period without winning. The pressure from the Challenger Series was both exciting and sometimes tough, but with the support of my family and sponsors, I kept improving my skills and stayed focused on my desire to win. Winning two consecutive QS events in Miyazaki was an incredibly rewarding moment, a victory over my past struggles. This experience strengthened my determination to win, especially at the CS.

Q: What’s next for you? Now that you’ve secured your spot on the Challenger Series again, what are your main goals for the 2025 season, and how do you plan to continue building on your progress?

A: My main goal for the 2025 season is to qualify for the CT. I’ll focus on both improving my skills and strengthening my mental game while adapting to different conditions. I’ll aim higher, compete with confidence, and give my best on the world stage!