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Over 20 windsurfers compete in Micro Open
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Posted on Mar 06 2019
Windsurfers navigate their way through the waters off Micro Beach during last weekend’s 37th Micronesian Open. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Colorful rigs and surfing boards sailed through the waters off Micro Beach over the weekend, as more than 20 windsurfers participated in the 37th Micronesian Open.
In the men’s division, 20 windsurfer from Saipan, Japan, and Korea navigated their way through the waves and winds at Micro Beach, while the women’s category had seven participants.
Saipan resident Wataru Tajima ended up ruling the men’s field after earning first place honors in all seven races. Japan’s Katsuya Ikawa and Yuji Yahaba completed the Top 3. Plaques and other in-kind prizes were handed out to the Top 3 finishers during the awards ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Saipan last Sunday.
Other finishers in the men’s field were Mitsuru Tsukada, Naohiro Ota, Kong, Masao Hirota, Keiji Sakamoto, Shinya Anami, Hidetoshi Nitta, Mamoru Hatamata, Hideaki Mibu, Kenichiro Hayashi, Akira Shibasaki, Shin Endo, Hiroshi Higurashi Akira Otake, Kenji Okada, Jin Man Kim, and Yu Jun Kang.
In the women’s event, Japan’s Yuko Nakazawa won six of the seven rounds to emerge as division champion. Saipan resident Fish Wong and Japan’s Mie Santo joined Nakazawa in the podium, while Hiromi Konita, Hiromi Matagolai, Mieko Omasu, and H.K. Yang were the other participants in the women’s division.
Windsurfing Saipan, Inc. organized the 37th Micronesian Open, which drew support from Hyatt Regency Saipan, T Galleria/DFS Saipan, and the Marianas Visitors Authority.
