In a historic display of surfing prowess, Brazilian Gabriel Medina has set a new Olympic record at the Paris 2024 Games, scoring an unprecedented 9.90 on a single wave during the men’s surfing competition at Teahupo’o, Tahiti. This remarkable feat not only secured Medina’s place in the quarterfinals but also marked the highest score in Olympic surfing history, surpassing the previous record of 9.73 set by Italian Italo Ferreira in Tokyo 2020.Medina’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he expertly navigated a near-perfect tube in challenging conditions. ‘It’s a dream to compete in the Olympics in these conditions. I never imagined I could show the world this type of surfing,’ Medina exclaimed after his heat. His total score of 17.40 was more than enough to defeat Japanese surfer Kanoa Igarashi, settling a score from their controversial semifinal match in Tokyo 2020.In another thrilling matchup, Medina’s compatriot João Chianca, also known as ‘Chumbinho’, secured his spot in the quarterfinals with a narrow victory over Moroccan surfer Ramzi Boukhiam. Chianca’s score of 18.10 just edged out Boukhiam’s 17.80, setting the stage for an all-Brazilian quarterfinal clash.The surfing competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics has garnered significant attention, not least because it’s being held nearly 10,000 miles away from the host city, marking the farthest distance an Olympic event has ever been from its host city. The competition window spans from July 27 to August 8, with the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals all scheduled for July 30.As Medina and Chianca prepare to face each other, ensuring at least one Brazilian surfer in the semifinals, the surfing world eagerly anticipates more high-scoring rides and intense competition in the coming days.
Key points
- Gabriel Medina scored a record-breaking 9.
- Medina and fellow Brazilian João Chianca will face each other in the quarterfinals.
- The surfing competition is being held in Tahiti, 10,000 miles from Paris, a record distance for an Olympic event.
90 on a single wave in Olympic surfing.
