i wake up early this morning anticipating the final day for the ISA World Championship. i drink my kombucha, i’m wide awake getting ready for the heat of the day. i see Joshua Moniz getting ready for his heat, my blood is flowing faster than his. it was the longest 25 minutes of my life!!!!
first, Happy Fathers Day Tony Moniz! when i saw the camera pan over you, i couldn’t imagine what was going through your head as the last 8 minutes was counting down. i was stressing probably more than you. i knew Josh had 2 solid scores, but the other 3 competitors aren’t in the final for nothing. they all know how to compete, and they all know how to win.
then we get down to 41 seconds and my heart races faster and faster. i can see the boys looking outside for sets and by their reaction, i knew no waves were coming. so i was already celebrating counting down to 0. then the horn rang and we have a new world junior champion!
if you know Josh, he’s super shy, hardly talks, and never celebrates or claims anything. so when i seen him getting carried out of the water with his hands in the air, i lost it. i started to cry like a baby. these kids are like mine. i haven’t felt so proud of these kids since Kelia Moniz won the World Title last year. two world champions in the family, and more to come. i can guarantee that!
i wanted to jump into the computer and hug this kid. if anybody deserves a big win like this, it’s Josh. nobody took this kid seriously but our family and friends surely did. we all knew his big day will come.
then when i seen his father Tony hug him, i cried again.
it’s like a dream come true for Josh, but also a dream come true for his family and friends. congratulations Josh. you made hawaii proud! enjoy your win, and get back to hawaii safe. let’s go diving!
i had this photo of Josh on my desktop even before this contest started. i had it there for a reason, which was to post it when he won. i took this photo of Josh about 8 years ago while he was watching the Pipeline Masters on the north shore. little did he know, he’d be a world champion someday. someday soon.
today, another one of my dreams came true. i can’t even explain how happy i am right now. i went diving today and all i could think about was Josh. i’d better go before i start crying again.
