Guess who’s back?. Photo: WSL//Tony Heff
In an interview with the Portuguese language news outlet Esporte Espetacular, Gabriel Medina announced that he is ready to return to the championship tour following a half-year hiatus. He sat out the first part of the year after telling his fans on Instagram that he was mentally exhausted.
“The past few months have been a difficult time for me personally and it has taken a toll,” Medina said at the time. “As such, I’ve decided to withdraw from the start of the 2022 WSL Championship Tour.” The announcement came after it became public that the three-time world champ had separated from his wife, Yasmin Brunet.
Medina had said he was also battling a small hip injury and was all set to compete on the tour when he decided to take the break. This time, he told the news outlet he’s more than fired up to get going and excited to be back. “I learned a lot during the time I walked away from the competition, and I feel like I’m 100 percent. That’s why I’m announcing my return,” he said.
Medina made it clear that he plans on returning for the G-Land event in late May. “I’m motivated,” he said. “I’m back to my athlete routine, waking up early, eating well. Everything is back to normal. Let’s go. I’m going to Indonesia, it’s a new stage in G-Land. That makes me even more motivated.”
The WSL confirmed that Medina would receive a season wildcard.
“Gabriel Medina will officially be the men’s WSL Season wildcard for all competitions following the Mid-season Cut, starting with the Quiksilver Pro G-Land,” said Renato Hickel, WSL Director of Tours and Competition. “With this wildcard, Gabriel will be eligible to qualify for the WSL Final 5, and he will also receive a spot in the 2023 CT season. We still have more wildcards to be determined: one more men’s WSL season wildcard for the 2023 season, the the women’s 2022 WSL season wildcard following the Mid-season Cut, the women’s 2023 season wildcard, as well as the men’s and women’s wildcards for each competition. We are still reviewing these applications and will have a decision on the season wildcards by May 9.”
