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Rabat – Moroccan surfer Ramzi Boukhiam has qualified for the third round of the surfing event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The competition occurred late Sunday night at the renowned Teahupo’o break in Tahiti.
Boukhiam failed to qualify directly for the third round (round of 16) of the Olympics last Saturday. With a score of 9.76 points, Boukhiam finished behind Brazilian João Chianca, who scored 10.07 points.
However, in Sunday’s repechage round, Boukhiam edged out El Salvador’s Bryan Perez in a highly competitive heat. Both surfers showcased great skills, with Boukhiam securing a total score of 14.60 against Perez’s 12.60 points.
The heat was marked by a close contest, with both surfers exchanging high-quality rides and maintaining a close score throughout the 30-minute session.
As the final moments of the heat approached, the surfers delivered their best performances, catching their most impressive waves just before the time was up.
The judges’ decision was eagerly awaited, and after a brief suspense, Boukhiam’s higher score was confirmed, thanks in part to his standout wave that earned him a 7.60 in contrast to Perez’s 6.43.
The qualification not only represents a splendid feat for Boukhiam but also maintains Morocco’s presence at the Paris 2024 Games, where the country is represented by a delegation of 60 athletes across 19 sports disciplines.
The Moroccan surfer made waves in the 2019 ISA World Surfing Games by securing 6th place, which earned him a spot in the 2020 Summer Olympics as the top African competitor.
In 2022, Boukhiam achieved another milestone, becoming the first Moroccan to qualify for the World Surf League’s (WSL) Championship Tour (CT).
In March 2024, Boukhiam added another historic achievement to his record by winning a silver medal at the ISA World Surfing Games, becoming the first Moroccan to earn a medal at this event.
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