Ramzi Boukhiam
Ramzi Boukhiam 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. He qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games.
Biography
Boukhiam was born in Morocco to a Moroccan father and a Dutch mother. He was encouraged to begin surfing at age eight by his brother Samir. His father died when he was eleven, and, two years later, his family moved to France.In his junior career, Boukhiam was twice a medalist at the World Junior Championships, including finishing as runner-up to Gabriel Medina in 2013.
Career
Boukhiam debuted in the World Surf League at the 2011 Quiksilver Pro France, where he came in thirteenth after being defeated by Kelly Slater.In 2022, he became the first Moroccan to qualify for the World Surf League's Championship Tour. He was unable to compete after breaking his ankle, and was replaced by Costa Rican surfer Carlos Muñoz.
In February 2023, Boukhiam underwent ankle surgery.
Boukhiam replaced Filipe Toledo, who withdrew from the WSL 2024 CT season to focus on his mental health in February 2024.
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.
Boukhiam placed third in the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro, defeating Kelly Slater in the quarterfinals.