'Overwhelmed' and preparing to ride waves of emotion

MIYAZAKI, Japan - Bianca Buitendag is one of those surfers who exudes zen-like calm and looks at one with the ocean, but qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics has left the South African completely "overwhelmed".

The graceful 25-year-old booked a provisional spot for next year's Olympics at the World Surfing Games in Miyazaki last month, an emotional release after a difficult few years.

"It's going to take a while to really understand the magnitude of the opportunity," Buitendag said.