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Epic Photo of Brazilian Surfer Celebrating Historic Score Defies Gravity

Patrick Andres

Brazil's Gabriel Medina reacts after getting a large wave in the fifth heat of the men's surfing Round 3.
Brazil's Gabriel Medina reacts after getting a large wave in the fifth heat of the men's surfing Round 3. / Photo by JEROME BROUILLET/AFP

As Olympic sports go, surfing is quite young, having debuted in the Games three years ago in Tokyo. Thus, its history is still in the formative stage.

Accordingly, Brazil's Gabriel Medina left his mark on his profession's history books on Monday with a ride for the ages. In the third round of the men's shortboard competition in Teahupoʻo, French Polynesia, Medina posted a single-wave score of 9.90—the largest in the history of the Olympics.

After his triumphant run, Jerome Brouillet of Agence France-Presse captured an unbelievable photograph of Medina appearing to levitate while pointing in triumph—his surfboard close behind him.

In his third round matchup, Medina easily topped defending silver medalist Kanoa Igarashi of Japan to advance to the quarterfinals. He will meet countryman João Chianca in that round Tuesday afternoon.

Medina, 30, is an accomplished surfer—he owns three World Surf League championships and a pair of gold medals at the World Games. However, he lost in the bronze medal match in Tokyo to Australia's Owen Wright.

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Patrick Andres

PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .

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