Japanese Duo Otono Hirata & Shuri Araki Reign Supreme at Seoul SUP Open

The very 1st edition of the Seoul SUP Open delivered a thrilling spectacle of speed, strategy, and emerging global talent. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Gangnam district and the towering Lotte World Tower, the event marked a dynamic debut for the APP World Tour in Korea’s capital—and a coming-of-age moment for some of Asia’s most promising young athletes.

TotalSUP was on the ground throughout the week, invited by the Korean Tourism Organization and local organizers KAPP – Korean APP to experience and share this new chapter in international SUP. Before, between and after sprints and distance races, we had the chance to explore the city’s rich cultural landmarks, ancient temples, imperial palaces, bustling shopping districts and, of course, its world-renowned food scene. From street food in Myeongdong to the quiet serenity of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul delivered an unforgettable cultural immersion and we fell in love with the South Corean capital. Thanks to our collaboration with the KTO, we were able to report extensively on the Seoul SUP Open via Facebook and Instagram, combining livestreams, video posts, reels and stories to bring our global audience as close to the action as possible.

The Seoul SUP Open also benefited from clever timing on the international SUP calendar, taking place just one week after the Okinawa 2 Yoron race in southern Japan. With only a two-hour flight separating the two venues, a handful of international athletes from Greece, Spain, and Argentina—took advantage of the proximity to embark on a two-stop Asian SUP tour, bringing extra depth and diversity to the field in Seoul. The back-to-back events highlighted how Asia is becoming an increasingly attractive and accessible region for global SUP athletes.

Otono Hirata Stuns with Double Victory at Just 13

One of the most talked-about stories of the weekend was the extraordinary performance of 13-year-old Japanese athlete Otono Hirata, who swept both the sprint and distance events to take overall victory in the women’s division. After a strong showing with a 3rd place finish at the 2024 Busan SUP Open, Otono returned to Korea determined—and delivered. Her win in Saturday’s sprints showcased explosive power and tactical precision beyond her years, and she followed it up with a controlled and dominant performance in Sunday’s distance race. Her composure and consistency earned her the top step on the podium and confirmed her status as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.

Korea’s Sujeong Lim, a hometown favorite, took a well-earned second place overall with consistent runner-up finishes in both disciplines. Lim’s performance demonstrated the strength of Korean paddling on home waters and thrilled the local crowd along the Han River. Japan’s Rinka Mizutani, another rising star, aged only 15, rounded out the women’s podium with two third-place finishes—an improvement on her 4th place result from Busan in 2024.

Notably, the sprint podium, distance podium, and consequently the overall podium featured exactly the same three athletes—Otono, Lim, and Mizutani—in identical order. Just off the podium in the sprints was South Korea’s Won Yujeon, who narrowly missed out on a top-three finish. In the distance race, Taiwan’s Yi-Wen Tseng claimed 4th place, showcasing the growing regional depth and competitiveness in women’s SUP racing across Asia.

OVERALL 
1. Otono Hirata
2. Lim Sujeong
3. Rinka Mizutani

SPRINTS
1. Otono Hirata
2. Lim Sujeong
3. Rinka Mizutani

LONG DISTANCE
1. Otono Hirata
2. Lim Sujeong
3. Rinka Mizutani

Shuri ‘Shrimpy’ Araki Remains Unstoppable in the Men’s Field

In the men’s division, Japan’s Shuri Araki continued his streak of excellence. With calculated, controlled heat wins in the sprint rounds and another victory in the grueling 6-lap distance race, Araki once again proved why he’s considered one of the most complete paddlers in the sport today.

He was pushed hard in the distance race by Greek athlete Tasos Tsouris, who rebounded from a tough early sprint elimination to claim 4th place overall. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Nikos Malekakis, also from Greece, impressed with a 2nd in the sprints and a 3rd in the distance—securing a well-deserved runner-up spot on the overall podium.

Spain’s Ivan de Frutos Ruiz, representing the well-known Parres Watersports club in Santa Pola, showed his all-around strength with a 3rd in sprints and 4th in the distance, earning him 3rd overall and confirming his steady climb on the international stage.

OVERALL
1. SHURI ARAKI (Japan)
2. NIKOS MALEKAKIS (Greece)
3. IVAN DE FRUTOS RUIZ  (Spain)

SPRINTS
1. SHURI ARAKI (Japan)
2. NIKOS MALEKAKIS (Greece)
3. IVAN DE FRUTOS RUIZ (Spain)

LONG DISTANCE
1. SHURI ARAKI (Japan)
2. TASOS TSURIS (Greece)
3. NIKOS MALEKAKIS (Greece)

Seoul Debut Sets the Stage for a New Era

Beyond the results, the Seoul SUP Open marked a symbolic step forward for the APP World Tour. With the Han River as a natural racecourse and the city’s skyline framing the action, the event showcased both Seoul’s potential as a premier SUP venue and the growing regional appetite for the sport.

Bringing together elite paddlers and passionate local athletes, the event served as a springboard for what the APP describes as a “new era” of global competition starting in 2026. The warm welcome from Seoul and the electric atmosphere throughout the weekend point to a bright future for stand-up paddleboarding in Korea and across Asia.

More Highlights & Results

Full results, event photos, and highlights are available at
www.appworldtour.com
www.kappworldtour.com
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