Ramzi Boukhiam (born 14 September 1993) is a Moroccan surfer. He placed 6th overall at the 2019 ISA World Surfing Games, earning qualification for the 2020 Summer Olympics as the highest-placed African surfer. He competed in the men's shortboard event at the 2020 Olympics, where he was eliminated in the third round by Michel Bourez of France.[1][2][3] He qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games.
| Ramzi Boukhiam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 14 September 1993 Agadir, Morocco | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residence | Agadir, Morocco | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 85 kg (187 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surfing career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best year | 2024 – Ranked #12 WSL CT World Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surfing specifications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stance | Goofy | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Biography
editBoukhiam was born in Morocco to a Moroccan father and a Dutch mother.[4] He was encouraged to begin surfing at age eight by his brother Samir. His father passed away when he was eleven, and, two years later, his family moved to France.[5]
In his junior career, Boukhiam was twice a medalist at the World Junior Championships, including finishing as runner-up to Gabriel Medina in 2013.[6][7]
Career
editBoukhiam debuted in the World Surf League at the 2011 Quiksilver Pro France, where he came in thirteenth after being defeated by Kelly Slater.[5][2]
In 2022, he became the first Moroccan to qualify for the World Surf League's (WSL) Championship Tour (CT).[8] He was unable to compete after breaking his ankle, and was replaced by Costa Rican surfer Carlos Muñoz.[9][10][11]
In February 2023, Boukhiam underwent ankle surgery.[5]
Boukhiam replaced Filipe Toledo, who withdrew from the WSL 2024 CT season to focus on his mental health in February 2024.[12]
On 3 March 2024, Boukhiam won a silver medal at the 2024 ISA World Surfing Games, thus becoming the first Moroccan to ever win a medal in the World Surfing Games.[13]
Boukhiam placed third in the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro, defeating Kelly Slater in the quarterfinals.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Surfing - Ramzi Boukhiam". Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ a b c "Ramzi Boukhiam Surfer Bio". World Surf League. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Mondy, Ben (17 March 2020). "Meet The Man Who's Got Morocco Dialed In". World Surf League. Archived from the original on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ Haskouri, Khouloud (26 March 2022). "Moroccan surfer Ramzi Boukhiam wins international championship in Israel". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Archived from the original on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ a b c "BOUKHIAM Ramzi". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "Gabriel Medina and Ella Williams are 2013 ASP World Junior champions". Surfer Today. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Freestone wins World Juniors". ESPN. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Morocco's Ramzi Boukhiam qualifies for world surf league championship tour 2023". The North Africa Post. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ Easton, Ella Benson (15 December 2023). "Olympic surfer Ramzi Boukhiam rides the waves for Morocco". The New Arab. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Trnka, Holden (1 February 2023). "Carlos Muñoz To Fill The Ramzi Boukhiam Sized Hole In Our Hearts". Stab Mag. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Davidson, Clara (29 June 2024). "Ramzi Boukhiam, The Lion from the Kingdom of Waves". Morocco World News. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Current World Champ Filipe Toledo Announces Withdrawal from Remainder of 2024 CT Season". Surf News Network. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Moroccan Surfer Ramzi Boukhiam Wins Silver at World Surfing Games". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
External links
edit- Ramzi Boukhiam at the World Surf League
- Ramzi Boukhiam at Olympics.com
- Ramzi Boukhiam at Olympedia (archive)
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