Surfer Gabriel Medina defies gravity in viral Olympic photo

Even though Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina was conscionable awkward of a cleanable people connected Day 3 of nan Paris Olympics surfing competition, a viral snapshot of nan jock has scored thing but 10s.

The photograph from Monday’s arena successful Teahupo’o, Tahiti, was taken astatine conscionable nan correct moment, timed truthful that Medina is upright and parallel pinch his board, floating respective feet supra acheronian water. In what’s already been called 1 of nan astir memorable images from nan 2024 Olympics, nan 30-year-old surfer is pointing 1 digit upward astatine nan grey, cloudy sky.

Medina’s surf connected a barrelling activity earned a 9.90, nan highest single-wave people successful Olympic history. The grounds came connected Medina’s 2nd run.

Before launching himself disconnected nan committee for nan picture-perfect moment, Medina cheekily flashed nan judges 10 fingers, intelligibly hoping for a flawless score.

The viral photograph was captured by Agence France-Presse photographer Jérôme Brouillet, who told The Guardian nan day’s surfing conditions were “perfect” and “waves were taller than we expected.”

Brouillet quelled conspiracy that nan image was Photoshopped aliases created by artificial intelligence (AI).

“It was not difficult to return nan picture. It was much astir anticipating nan infinitesimal and wherever Gabriel will footwear disconnected nan wave,” he told nan outlet.

Monday was nan 3rd information of nan Olympic surfing title and saw 8 athletes eliminated from nan moving for a coveted medal. Medina, a three-time world champion, scored a mixed two-wave people of 17.40 retired of a imaginable 20.

He was facing disconnected against Japanese surfer Kanoa Igarashi, who triumphed complete Medina during nan 2020 Tokyo Olympics and took location a metallic medal, finishing only down Italo Ferreira of Brazil.

Medina shared nan viral photo, alongside different snaps from his historical surf, to Instagram pinch nan Bible quote, “I tin do everything done him who strengthens.”

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The surfer told Olympics.com he was pleased pinch his capacity connected Monday.

“Felt astonishing to get immoderate bully waves and I almost sewage a 10 truthful I was really happy pinch that,” he said. “It’s really a dream travel true to compete successful waves for illustration this for nan Olympics.”

Medina must still compete successful 2 much rounds successful bid to unafraid a medal, though Tuesday’s men’s and women’s competitions were postponed by nan IOC owed to surf conditions.

He will look disconnected against chap Brazilian Joao Chianco successful nan surfing quarterfinals.