13‑Year‑Old Leihani Zoric Becomes First Indigenous World Surf Champion

Leihani Zoric, 13, from Byron Bay, New South Wales, won the International Surfing Association Under‑18 World Junior Championship in El Salvador. She is the first Indigenous Australian world surfing champion.

Her victory also makes her the youngest surfer ever to claim the ISA Under‑18 title. Earlier in 2026 she won both the Junior Girls and Open Women’s divisions at the Indigenous Surfing Titles.

Zoric said she wants to represent her Yued mob and inspire other Indigenous kids. She told ABC Weekend Breakfast that she felt very sick before the trip but decided to go because she believed she could win.

Her success gives Indigenous people more visibility in Australian sport. When a young Indigenous athlete wins on the world stage, it shows that talent can come from any community and encourages more young people to try sports.

Leihani’s achievement also highlights the strength of Australian surfing teams, with Australia taking three of four gold medals at the same event. Her story is already being shared across the country.

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