Jake Marshall Upsets Kanoa Igarashi to Capture US Open Surfing Title
Jake Marshall defeated Kanoa Igarashi in the US Open of Surfing final, earning his first championship, while Sierra Kerr won the women's division after battling Lyme disease.
The Lexus US Open of Surfing concluded with a Southern California showdown as Jake Marshall from Encinitas claimed his first US Open crown by narrowly beating Kanoa Igarashi of Huntington Beach. Igarashi, who was chasing a third title, missed the 7.38 points required on his final ride, allowing Marshall's decisive 8-point wave to stand. Marshall's path to the final included wins over Brazil's Gabriel Klaussner and San Clemente's Hayden Rodgers, while Igarashi dispatched Peru's Lucca Mesinas and fellow Californian Griffin Colapinto.
In the women's division, Australian Sierra Kerr, who splits her time in Encinitas, triumphed over compatriot Isla Huppatz, a win that followed a difficult battle with Lyme disease that kept her hospitalized. Kerr secured the title with a late score as the day’s smaller waves favored aerial maneuvers. Both champions expressed emotional relief and gratitude for family support after the intense competition.
Why it matters
The results highlight emerging talent in U.S. surfing and mark a comeback story for a champion overcoming serious illness.
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