Anwar returns to defend Open title

ONEY Anwar will return to defend his crown at the 2019 Gold Coast Open Qualifying Series event.

The 24-year-old has spent nearly half of his life Down Under, having been born and raised in Lakey Peak on Indonesia’s Sumbawa island.

He made the tough call to move to Australia on his own to live with Gold Coast-based family friends in a bid to supercharge his surfing ambitions — namely, to become the first Indonesian competitor on the World Surf League tour.

Anwar won the 2017 event and said he was excited to surf in it again next week.

“I’m very excited for this event, the waves are always fun,” Anwar (pictured) said.

“The event is pretty special to me because Burleigh is my second home. It’s such a perfect location for a surf contest. I’m definitely looking forward to competing next week.”

A four-foot easterly swell is likely to stick around for the start of competition on Tuesday, along with light variable winds.

Fellow 2018 winner Isabella Nichols (Sunshine Coast) will also return to try to defend her crown.