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The Malibu Boats Tokyo Pro Presented by Rockstar Continues in Tokyo

Lake Alfred, Fla. – The Malibu Boats Tokyo Pro Presented by Rockstar is officially underway as the Pro Women semifinals and the Pro Men quarterfinals are now complete at Odaiba Beach in Tokyo Japan. The story of the day was how Malibu Boats Team rider Toshiki Yasui was inspired to compete in his home country and dominated his heat to advance to the semifinals. Yasui's run behind the Malibu Wakesetter 22 MXZ thrilled the crowd on shore as he scored an 85.00 to advance.
 
In other Pro Men action, Yasui's fellow countryman, Shota Tezuka, was involved in a tightly contested battle in Heat 4 that saw him just miss out on a spot in the semifinals. With only two riders in each each heat moving on, both Stephen Pierce and Raph Derome were able to advance from the heat. Derome will be joined by his brother Oli who also won his heat.
 
Sunday's semifinals will also feature the top six riders in the Wakeboard World Series standings as they are prequalified into the semifinals. Wakeboard World Series leader Harley Clifford will hit the water in Japan for the first time along with Phil Soven, Austin Hair, JD Webb, Mike Dowdy and Noah Flegel. The top two men in each semifinal heat will advance to the finals.
 
In the Pro Women division, Malibu Boats team rider Tarah Mikacich laid down an impressive run that won her semifinal heat. With the great runs she and Melissa Marquardt laid down, they will advance to the finals while also knocking WBWS points leader Meagan Ethell out of the competition. Dallas Friday and Raimi Merritt will also look to capitalize in Sunday's Final as both won their semifinal heats. Rounding out the Pro Women final are Nicola Butler and Taylor McCullough.
 
Saturday marked the official beginning of the Malibu Boats Tokyo Pro and an amazing Opening Ceremony kicked things off nicely as all of the riders were given a special introduction in front of city officials and the entire Japanese Wakeboard Association (JWBA). As part of the ceremony, the JWBA honored Malibu Boats President Jack Springer along with WWA President Shannon Starling with a special gift in appreciation for bringing this great event back to Japan.
 
As the organizer and sanctioning body of the Malibu Tokyo Pro Presented by Rockstar Energy, the World Wakeboard Association would like to thank all our partners who make this event possible, including Malibu Boats, Rockstar Energy Drink, FLAX and Billabong.
 
Results - Day 2
 
Pro Women Semifinals (top two in each heat advance)
 
Heat #1
1. Raimi Merritt (USA) - 76.33
2. Nicola Butler (GBR) - 70.00
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3. Corrie Wilson (USA) - 56.33
4. Abby Delgoffe (USA) - 40.00
 
Heat #2
1. Dallas Friday (USA) - 82.33
2. Taylor McCullough (USA) - 76.67
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3. Yuzuki (JPN) - 71.67
4. Larisa Morales (MEX) - 63.33
 
Heat #3
1. Tarah Mikacich (USA) - 85.00
2. Marquardt, Melissa (USA) - 71.67
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3. Meagan Ethell (USA) - 68.00
4. Rumi Matsuura (JPN) - 60.00
 
Pro Men Quarterfinals (top rider in each heat advances)
 
Heat #1
1. Dean Smith (AUS) - 71.67
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2. Tony Carroll (USA) - 67.33
3. Gus Shuler (USA) - 54.67
4. Gunnar Shuler (USA) - 43.33
 
Heat #2
1. Massi Piffaretti (ITL) - 85.33
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2. Jefferson Langley (USA) - 80.67
3. Tony Lacconi (AUS) - 68.33
4. Hiromichi Aoki (JPN) - 33.33
 
Heat #3
1. Toshiki Yasui (JPN) - 85.00
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2. Daniel Powers (USA) - 80.00
3. Nari (JPN) - 66.67
4. Danny Thollander (USA) - 60.00
 
Heat #4
1. Derome, Raph (CDN) - 83.33
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2. Stephen Pierce (USA) - 75.67
3. Shota Tezuka (JPN) - 74.00
4. Yuu (JPN) - 28.33
 
Heat #5
1. Cory Teunissen (AUS) - 81.67
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2. Parker Siegele (AUS) - 71.67
3. Pierce Homsey (USA) - 46.67
4. Shutaro (JPN) - 33.33
 
Heat #6
1. Oli Derome (CDN) - 85.00
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2. Steel Lafferty (USA) - 70.00
3. Isei Asada (JPN) - 65.00
4. Josh Twelker (USA) - 60.00
5. Shinnosuke Noguchi (JPN) - 50.00

About Malibu
Malibu Boats is the world’s largest manufacturer of watersports towboats, with a worldwide market share of more than 50 percent. Malibu sells the Wakesetter and Response models—as well as the Axis Wake Research brand—through a global dealer network. With some 450 employees and three manufacturing facilities, in California, Tennessee, and Australia, Malibu builds boats to help you live a #lifewithoutlimits on the water.

About Rockstar
Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles – from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 25 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music. For more information visit RockstarEnergy.com. Also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
 
About the WBWS
The Wakeboard World Series will offer the largest payout the sport has seen in its 26-year history with a total of $425,000 to be handed out to the men and women throughout the series. This increase is just one of many avenues that the WWA have stepped up to further legitimize wakeboarding along with an increased focus on attracting media, sponsors, and consumers. This year’s Wakeboard World Series is the largest World Series in recent years, making it the only true global wakeboard series. The 2015 Wakeboard World Series will travel to four rounds within the United States as well as Mexico, Brazil, Canada, a return to Japan, and for the first time, the WWA World Championships will be held in Portugal. 
 
About the WWA
The World Wakeboard Association is the global leader in wake sports sanctioning. The WWA owns and operates the WWA Wakeboard World Series, WWA Wake Park World Series, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wake Park National Championships, WWA Wakeboard World Championships, WWA Wake Park World Championships, WWA Wake Park Triple Crown, WWA Pro Card and WWA Rider Experience. With 27 affiliate countries worldwide, the WWA is a rider-formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the primary source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out thewwa.com.

Tokyo Pro - Day 1 | Tokyo Pro - Day 3 | Tokyo Pro - Video