Hiroto Ohhara Wins Vans US Open of Surfing

Griffin Colapinto took an early lead during the final of the Vans Us Open Pro Junior on Saturday, leaving his opponents chasing a 16.04 heat total.

But the thing about taking the early lead is, people want to take it back. And Kanoa Igarashi — surfing confident in front of a hometown crowd — did just that, posting a 9.57 to steal the lead. (Little thief.) But Griffin was unshaken. The 17-year-old Monster team rider countered with a series of powerful backside turns to earn a 9.67. With that, Griffin regained the No. 1 position until the final horn sounded and he was chaired up the beach, American flag waving above his head.

“I was tripping that I was able to pull it out of the bag and get that [9.67],” Griffin said. “It was probably the best feeling of my life getting that score.” Well, it’s been a short life thus far, Griff, and we know your future is larger than life.

Meanwhile, in the main event, 18-year-old Hiroto Ohhara became the first Japanese surfer to ever make the final of the US Open. To get there he had to take down big names like Mitch Crews, Ryan Callinan, Carlos Munoz and Kanoa Igarashi.

Hiroto took off and dropped hammers on the outside, faded into the right and smashed the lip a couple more times for the win. 9.17 points for the wave. 14.5 points for the heat.