After winning the 9th stop of the ASP World Tour in Mundaka, Spain, instead of taking a rest before going to Brazil, in what can be considered a great patriotic act, CJ Hobgood decided to stay in Europe and travel to Costa de Caparica, Portugal, from October 11 until the 19 to defend the USA flag in the 22nd edition of the ISA World Surfing Games. Two years ago, in Huntington Beach, CJ competed in the previous edition of the World Surfing Games and placed 9th. He wasn’t happy at all after he got out of the water in his Repechage Round 8 heat that was won by Hawaiian Gavin Gillette and Brazilian Jadson André. Once in Portugal, CJ said that he didn’t made it to event for revenge, but this is exactly what he did. The new ISA World Surfing Champion had a spectacular campaign in the beach break conditions. He made it to the final almost entirely through the main event, winning five heats. In the “winners round” final, he faced Aussies Kai Otton and Heath Joske and fell to the repechage. In the “do or die” situation he placed second twice to make it to the grand final that included three World Tour surfers but started with the great Aussie talent, Heath Joske, posting a solid 8.40 and taking the lead for the first ten minutes. But the US surfer maintained calm and midway through the heat, he took the lead after riding a nice right and scoring an 8.60 that was backed up with a 7.20. With three minutes to go and Joske needing a 7.41, CJ started using tactics and didn’t let the Aussie catch a wave. When the horn sounded, he was all smiles and said: “It feels so good right now. I had to compete against three Aussies for whom I have a great respect. It was a really good final with me and Joske going back and forth. Towards the end, I didn’t know if I should sit on him or not. But I knew that if he would’ve caught a wave and got the score, an opportunity that I might not have again would’ve been lost. It’s a great feeling. These opportunities don’t come back too often so to take advantage of it. It is amazing!” CJ Hobgood, now an ASP World Champ and an ISA World Champ, put his name in the History books by becoming one of the few athletes to achieve a feat like this. BIO He made it to the ASP Dream Tour at 18 and two years later, in 2001 he won it. Since then, he has maintained himself in the top of the World Tour rating, always with the status of a favorite. In barrels, he won the Billabong Pro Tahiti in 2004, the Rip Curl Pro Hossegor in 2000, the Japan Quiksilver Pro in 2004 and the Billabong Pro Mundaka this year. CJ holds the 5th position on the ASP World Tour ratings. Without any doubt, he will remember 2008 as one of the standouts year of his career. Fast Facts a.k.a.: Ceej d.o.b.: July 6, 1979 born: Melbourne, Florida USA resides: Melbourne, Florida USA parents: Maureen and Clifton siblings: Twin brother Damien is also an ASP World Tour competitor significant other: Lovely wife Rachel offspring: Baby girl Genevieve hobbies: Playing golf, tennis or fishing url: www.hobgoods.com Vitals height: 5'8" (173 cm) stance: Goofy foot sponsors: Globe clothing and footwear, Body Glove wetsuits, X-Track accessories, Smith eyewear, Vestal watches, FCS fins and The Goods Surf & Skate shapers: Bill Johnson favorite waves: Restaurants and France favorite maneuvers: Airs and barrels favorite surfers:: Slater, Taj and Taylor Knox Career years on ASP World Tour: 2008 will be Hobgood's 10th season on tour rating by year: elite inception: 1999 hard yards: C.J. surfed the ASP WQS from 1996 to 1998 elite tour victories: (4) Sources: The Surf Encyclopedia and www.aspworldtour.com Read an interview with CJ made by Surfing Mag Evan Slater about his World Surfing Games victory here
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