Costa Rica’s Junior Surf Team had another great performance in the VISSLA Isa World Junior Championship that is being celebrated in Hyuga, Japan.

The team classified to the Tag Team final, beating teams of the level of Brazil and Australia in the second semifinal of the Aloha Cup.

It was the Japan team that earned the first Gold Medal of the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in the Aloha Cup, the ISA’s mixed-gender relay event. Japan won by a margin of 6 points, followed by Hawaii with Silver, France with Bronze and Costa Rica with Copper. The other participating teams were Australia (5th place), USA (6th), South Africa (7th) and Brazil (8th).

“We classified to the final after an incredible heat and going up against incredible competitors. We have talent, but we still have a lot to grow to be there with the current Top 4; however, the union and commitment of the team have allowed us to go back home with a well-deserved result and for which we must be proud”, said coach Jim Hogan.

On Sunday, (Saturday night in Costa Rica), the Grand Finals are set to take place with four individual and team gold medalists to be crowned.

Team USA currently holds a marginal lead in the overall team rankings, while Hawaii holds on to the second position and the host nation Japan sits in third place.

For Costa Rica, Leilani McGonagle will be present in the final which is scheduled to take place at around 6:30 p.m. Costa Rica time this Saturday.