After Striking Gold at World Surfing Games, 21-Year-Old Prodigy Becomes First Mexican to Qualify for 2024 Olympics

Setting an example at a young age is not an easy task to accomplish. However, Alan Cleland did it with perfection. This 21-year-old just attained a remarkable victory at the World Surfing Games. He has not just won gold in the games but is also the first Mexican to qualify for the Olympics. This talent has given a wonderful performance and deserves his accolades. He is one of the best emerging surfers in today’s time and with the speed he is achieving big miles; it is clear how far he will go.

The Olympics and almost everyone in the surf world is congratulating and praising Cleland for his achievement. He has won all of Mexico’s hearts by creating history for them. The ride for this young talent has just started and so much more is waiting for him in his career.

Alan Cleland creates history at the World Surfing Games 

Alan Cleland, a young talent, has broken records and created history in the 2023 ISA World Surfing Games. This event faced a lot of weather obstacles, and it was even delayed. But nothing could stop Alan Cleland from winning his very first world title. He had not imagined a better win. Cleland was all covered in Mexico’s flag and had defeated a champion and Olympic silver medalist, Kanoa Igarashi. Not just this, he also set the top scores of the competition. After Jordy Smith finished ninth in the Shiseido Tahiti Pro, Cleland qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Olympic Games posted a video on their Twitter account congratulating Cleland for the championship. In the video, he was seen performing mind-blowing stunts smoothly. A part of the tweet’s caption read, “20-year-old Alan Cleland shows up on the big stage, scoring the highest wave and heat total to secure ISA Worlds gold.” He made the toughest of moves look so much easier and his big wave surfing was worth watching. Cleland is more than happy about his achievement, as he has made his country proud.

Alan Cleland speaks about his accomplishments at the 2023 Championships

Cleland finished the competition with three entries among the Top 10 highest-scoring waves. This also incorporates the 9.73- point scorcher that he kept for the finals. He not only qualified for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games but also became the top candidate to replace Jordy Smith for the quota from the 2023 ISA World Surfing Games.

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Cleland expressed, “It’s been a huge goal of mine, getting to the Olympics, that’s why I came here.” He further added, “I knew this wasn’t a qualifier, but I wanted to surf against the Olympians and I want to be here and show that I can do it.” Before the event, Alan Cleland was the underdog in the entire event. However, the Mexican had confidence in himself, and with his talent and skill, Cleland proved every part of it.

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