Lee Balo Wilson Receives 2007 Pro Surfer of the Year and Most Popular Surfer of the Year Awards at ISC Awards Night
Posted by Robin | Filed under indo, surfing
From the press release:
5 November 2007, Kuta-Bali: Lee Balo Wilson received the ISCs 2007 Pro Surfer of the Year title and trophy, and was voted the Most Popular Surfer, on Saturday November 3rd at the Indonesian Surfing Championship Awards Presentation. The Awards Presentation took place at The Wave nightclub which is positioned almost directly on Kuta Beach, a place many consider the birthplace of the sport of surfing in Indonesia.
A crowd of over 200 members of the local surfing industry, media and friends started off their Saturday night by honoring the top surfers in Indonesia in four categories, Junior, Pro Junior, Masters, and Pro. The categories of Pro Junior and Junior are new, having been added for the 2007 season.
First up to receive his award was the 2007 Junior Champion, 15-year-old One Anwar from Sumbawa. One (pronounced Oh-Nay) has been on fire this year, first winning the 2007 Quiksilver King of the Groms series (which got him a trip to France for the Grand Finals in August) and then just last week taking the overall win at the 2007 Rip Curl GromSearch series for the second year in a row. That means hell be going to Australia again in 2008 to compete in the World GromSearch Finals at Bells Beach. First Runner Up in the Junior category was Komang Putra Hermawan, and Ones older brother, Gazali Hamzah, was 2nd Runner Up.
Next to take the stage was 2007 Pro Junior Champion Mustofa Jeksen, no stranger to the podium and at 17 years old already a seasoned veteran, having traveled to many international destinations to free surf and to compete. Jeksen was last years ISC Rookie of the Year, and this year gets honors for finishing at the top of the rankings for an Indonesian in the newly introduced Billabong Pro Junior Series. 1st Runner up was the absent Agus Pernawan, and 2nd Runner Up was Kadek Murtika.
For the second year in a row, Kutas local legend and owner of The Surf Shop on Jalan Legian, Wayan Gantiyasa, took top spot in the Masters division. He climbed up on the stage to receive his trophy with the help and cheers of his friends. He had apparently been celebrating for several hours before his arrival, and seemed to be enjoying his evening immensely. 1st Runner Up was Wayan Pica, and 2nd Runner Up was none other than Bali Barrels Ketut Menda.
Before the man of the evening was called up, MCs Rani and Rahtu first called up Marlon Gerber to accept the 2nd Runner Up award for last years Number 1, and Marlons brother-in-law, Rizal Tanjung. (Rizal was in Japan so couldnt attend.) Next up was 1st Runner Up Wayan Suprayitna, who had his first ISC win at the Oakley Thump this year and has been a strong competitor in every event in the 2007 season tour.
Mr. Popular Lee Wilson was then called to the stage amidst the cheers and hoots of the crowd to receive his trophy. When MC Rahtu handed him the microphone, Lee had this to say: I started the year with this goal in mind, to win the championship, and to be here and have it come true is magic. I want to thank everyone involved in this tour and in the industry for making this possible. There are so many people that all play their parts, all along the way, and they are all really important, so without them I couldnt stand up here now. And especially I want to thank my Dad and Mom, who have given me unbelievable support. Thanks everyone!
Lee was 1st Runner Up to Rizal Tanjung in 2006, and set out at the beginning of the 2007 season to put his name on the trophy by the end of the year. His go-for-it style, natural ability, and commitment to the goals he set put him solidly in first place with wins at the first two events of the season, a position he retained through the remainder of the season. Lee was born and raised in Indonesia, his father from Australia and his mother is Indonesian. He has been sponsored by Rip Curl since he was 13 years old, and has been featured in numerous times in international surfing magazines and videos.
The ISC would like to thank all the sponsors and supporters who have made this the best ISC tour season ever, and appreciate all the time and effort put in by the crew each weekend to run the events and make this tour a success. With your continued support, well be back bigger and better for 2008. Terima Kasih, Matur Sukseme, and Thank You!
Complete ranks & info: ISC site.
