In a communication released on social media, this week, Sari Ohhara, 2x world champion (2019, 2023) and 2012 ISA champion, announced she will be retiring from the world tour and competitions at the end of the year.
Well, at least, on a full time mode, she shared to Vert Magazine. That opens the door to one-off competitions. She might compete on a couple events in the future, but 2024 was definitely her last time as a regular competitor on the world tour.
The last event for Ohhara, number 2 in the world in the 2024 season, according to her own words, will come in November after the final stop of Japan’s National Tour.
Although the Japanese bodyboarder was not the first to conquered the world title to the country of Japan (Ayaka Suzuki was), she had a glorious and successful career achieving several events wins on the way, namely at the Sintra Pro where she came on top of the podium for four consecutive times (2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023).
Sintra, Praia Grande and Portugal is, indeed, a very special place for her. “Portugal is one of the countries where my bodyboarding career began. I have never been to any other country than Hawaii before. So I guess I learned many things there. And the people are nice, there are sand breaks everywhere, many favorite points”, she said in an interview back in 2019.
“I am grateful for the support I have received from so many people that has allowed me to work in the best environment as a professional bodyboarder, and I wanted to take on that role next”, wrote Sari in the annoucement.
But what’s the next role for her? The future seems to remain uncertain for the 29 years old bodyboarder. Sari says she wants to “improve the bodyboarding industry and create more opportunities for young athletes to succeed.” She also shared that wants “to spread courage and joy, and show the greatness of bodyboarding to future bodyboarders.”
So, we guess coaching athletes might be one of the things she wants to do. For now one thing remains certain and unchangeable: she just wants to move forward.
Sayonara, Sari. And thank you.
