Gabriel Medina is making waves, literally and figuratively, at the 2024 Olympics. The Brazilian surfer grabbed global attention with a record-breaking performance in the third round of men’s surfing at Teahupo’o, Tahiti. His ride, which included a near-perfect score and an iconic in-air celebration, has the world talking.
During the competition on July 29, Medina showed his skills by riding a huge barrel wave. As he shot out of the wave, he confidently flashed 10 fingers, predicting a top score. He wasn’t far off, scoring an impressive 9.90, the highest single-wave score in Olympic surfing history. This moment was captured in a now-viral photo by Jerome Brouillet.
After his epic ride, Medina soared off his board, pointing his finger to the sky. This airborne moment, perfectly timed, was shared worldwide. Brouillet, the photographer, expressed his excitement on Instagram, comparing taking photos to surfing due to the mix of preparation, timing, and a bit of luck.
Medina’s love for surfing runs deep. Starting at age 8, he won his first competition at 11 and joined the WSL Championship Tour at 17. He clinched World Championships in 2014, 2018, and 2021 and competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, finishing fourth. Despite facing challenges, including a break in 2022 to focus on mental health and a knee injury, Medina’s passion never wavered.
In 2022, Medina announced his break due to depression and started seeing a psychologist. He spoke openly about his struggles, saying, ‘It’s not a secret; talking about mental health is even interesting. I had depression…I’m better, happy to be finding myself again.’ His comeback saw him win the 2023 Western Australia Margaret River Pro.
Medina remarked that while an Olympic medal would be fantastic, it’s not his only definition of success. ‘I’ve been through a lot… I just want to surf here because it’s my favorite wave.’ His dedication to the sport is evident as he prepares for the next round of competition.
Gabriel Medina’s journey at the 2024 Olympics is inspiring and captivating. With his incredible performance and sheer love for surfing, Medina is a true embodiment of an athlete who rides the waves of both success and adversity. Keep an eye on him as the Olympics unfold.
