Despite a competitive run by dark horse Venezuela, host country Costa Rica’s Carlos Muñoz vaulted into contention for a world title at the World Surfing Games in Playa Hermosa Tuesday.

With conditions ranging from blazing sunshine to pouring rain, and tides at both high and low extremes, the 16-year-old Muñoz managed to have an interference called in two consecutive heats — and still win both of them, a feat that in most cases is considered almost impossible.

The young Tico has brought huge crowds to their feet and electrified his teammates as he blazed through heats that eliminated world tour pros. Only a handful of other teams have qualified more than two team members into the next qualifying round and Muñoz’ performances are a big factor in keeping the Costa Ricans in the race.

With half of the event over, all the participating nations have lost at least one of their team members. Only 24 surfers remain from the original 128 competitors in the open men division. Costa Rica has two, the second being on the ladies side, only 12 surfers out of the 64 remain. These surfers represent only 14 teams out of the 35 competing in the event.

Costa Rican surfers Luis Vindas, Natalie Bernold and Lisbeth Vindas have been eliminated.
Originally posted here

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