Kapono Fukuda retains his APP Junior World Title with another impressive performance this year at the 2023 Gran Canaria Pro-Am.

Kicking off the day in the Main Event of the Gran Canaria Pro-Am, Kapono was able to advance directly to the 3rd round ahead of one of the event favorites, Wellington Reis (who has now come back through a victory in his Repechage heat).

With his confidence boosted by this great achievement, Kapono switched back into U18 mode for the Finals of this division, held late this afternoon. Coming up against the up and coming young Spanish talent Enrique Perez Serra, Kapono looked comfortable throughout the 30 minute final and was able to find the right waves to post a couple of solid scores.

While Enrique put on a great performance in his first APP World Tour event, it was not enough to overcome the current Japanese #1, as Kapono was able to take victory and retain his Junior World Title in 2023. At just 16 years old, it is clear that this impressive talent has a bright future ahead of him.

Check out today's highlights and catch up on everything from this year's Gran Canaria Pro-Am as well as staying tuned for the next call at 6:45am GMT on Sunday 26th November at www.appworldtour.com and across socials @appworldtour

The Opening 2 Rounds of the Main Event see top seeds advance and some strong performances despite the challenging conditions

The top seeds advanced directly through to Round 3, with the exception of World #3 Wellington Reis and #5 Taka Inoue from Japan. Both Wellington and Taka struggled to find the right waves in a challenging line up and had to go through the Repechage to get back into the mix for Round 3, which they managed to do convincingly.

Meanwhile, Leonardo Gimenes from Brazil posted the highest heat score total of Round 1 with 13.77 followed by fellow Brazilian, Luiz Diniz with 13.17. Also putting on a strong performance in Round 1 was reigning World Champion, Benoit Carpentier from France who is looking confident and purpose filled on the water here in Gran Canaria.

However, the big news from the Repechage round was the young talent from Brazil, Pedro Veiga, who at just 12 years old was able to put together a great wave in the dying minutes of his heat to advance on to Round 3. After finishing 5th in the U18, Pedro is climbing the ranks and showing himself to be an exciting new star of the future.

Meanwhile in the women's division, the top seeds excelled as expected, with the standout of the day being Luchy Cosoleto from Argentina, #2 from 2022, looking on form this year in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with her eyes cleared focused on the Title this year.

Local favorite Iballa Moreno also advanced directly through to the quarters, as well as Kaede Inoue and an elated Marine Kerdreux. Despite coming up against Luchy in Round 1, an on form Aline Adisaka was able to come back through the repechage and is looking in great form this year at the Gran Canaria Pro-Am.

Next call will be on Sunday 26th November at 6:45am GMT, with a new NW swell forecast to come in that morning, as the action moves to the now celebrated righthand point break of EL Lloret and we anticipate another spectacular close to the 2023 APP World Tour.

Check out today's highlights and catch up on everything from this year's Gran Canaria Pro-Am at www.appworldtour.com and across socials @appworldtour