Kanoa Heejae: Korea’s Surfing Star Eyes 2028 Olympics After Asian Games
- Korean surfing standout Palmiano Kanoa Heejae fell short of winning a medal at the Asian Games, exiting the competition in the quarterfinals.
- Palmiano Kanoa Heejae entered the event aiming for a podium finish, but his run ended in the quarterfinals.
- Born to a Filipino-Canadian father and a Korean mother, Kanoa grew up in an environment shaped by the ocean.
Korean surfing standout Palmiano Kanoa Heejae fell short of winning a medal at the Asian Games, exiting the competition in the quarterfinals. The 18-year-old athlete, who competed in the sport’s debut as an official Asian Games event in Tokoname, aims to secure an Olympic berth at the 2028 World Surfing Games.
Quarterfinal Exit at the Asian Games
Palmiano Kanoa Heejae entered the event aiming for a podium finish, but his run ended in the quarterfinals. According to Korean Surfing Federation director and national team coach Song Min, the young surfer lacked sufficient major competition experience despite his familiarity with the waves. Kanoa noted that waiting for optimal waves delayed his start in the heat, resulting in fewer wave attempts than his opponent. Surfing made its official debut at this Asian Games tournament. The gold medal in the event was secured by Japan’s Igarashi Kanoa, an athlete who shares the same given name and has already earned qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
I am a Korean person and I live in Korea. No other reason is necessary.
Palmiano Canoe Heejae
Choosing the Korean National Flag
Born to a Filipino-Canadian father and a Korean mother, Kanoa grew up in an environment shaped by the ocean. His father, a former paddleboard surfer, gave him the name Kanoa—meaning “freedom” in native Hawaiian—while his mother named him Heejae, signifying joy. Before committing to Korea, Kanoa drew interest from the national teams of both Canada and the Philippines. Opting to represent either country would have provided training advantages and exemption from military service obligations. Kanoa chose to compete for South Korea without hesitation, stating that his identity as a resident and citizen of the country was the only factor that mattered.
Training Adjustments and Family Support
To support his athletic career, Kanoa’s family adopted a dedicated routine. His mother manages household finances and overseas training expenses, while his father serves as his personal coach.
Now in his final year of high school equivalence, Kanoa chose homeschooling over traditional attendance to maximize his daily training hours. I wanted to maximize my training time, so I chose homeschooling instead of school,
Kanoa said, adding that preparations for the Asian Games temporarily set back his academic schedule.
Targeting the 2028 Olympics
Looking ahead, Kanoa has turned his focus toward the 2028 Olympic cycle. Commenting on the tournament victory of his Japanese counterpart, Igarashi Kanoa, the Korean athlete expressed regret over missing the chance to compete directly against a competitor he holds in high regard. Kanoa stated his intention to secure his ticket to the Games at the 2028 World Surfing Games.