It finally happened. Gabriel Medina won the world title at Pipeline today. Medina’s win is the culmination of one of professional surfing’s greatest debates since the bustin’ down the door movement.
The young Brazilian spent the year proving his worth in any conditions the ocean could throw at him, from mushy beach break to pumping Teahupoo. And now, with a world title under his belt, Medina’s nay sayers might finally be silenced.
Medina really began to shut the door on the title in the second heat of Round 4, when he snagged an impossibly deep barrel that came in at 8.67. While Filipe Toledo put on a strong performance – including a 9.23 – it wasn’t enough to stop Medina.
The race for the title came down to three: Medina, Kelly Slater, and Mick Fanning. Slater lost his bout in a heat against Alejo Muniz, another Brazilian. When Mick Fanning paddled out against Ace Buchan and Julian Wilson, the pressure was on. A loss for Mick meant a world title for Medina. With fifty seconds left, Fanning was scratching for a 1. 69, but the ocean didn’t provide anything. The three-time world champ was relegated to the elimination round, and Brazil collectively lost its mind. “I just love the crowd,” said a smiling Medina. “I love this sport. Everything pays off right now! What I was dreaming… now it’s reality.”
