World Champ Gabriel Medina finally beats old rival back at Quiksilver Pro
HE has won countless contests and claimed a maiden world title but for Gabriel Medina a win against an old rival at the Quiky Pro was significant.
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HE has won countless contests and claimed a maiden world title last year but Gabriel Medina labelled his round-one win at the Quiksilver Pro as a significant moment in his surfing career.
The 20-year-old was pushed to the limits against compatriot Wiggolly Dantas in their opening round heat at Snapper Rocks — his first as the reigning world champion.
But it was not the pressure of being the world champion that affected Medina, it was that he knew exactly who he was going up against.
As an amateur surfer in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Medina recalled numerous occasions where he would go up against the older and more experienced Dantas … and lose.
“We used to surf against each other a lot and he (Dantas) would always beat me,” Medina said.
“He was one of the older guys when I was a grom and he was always a very powerful surfer.
“It’s great to have him here on the world tour and I am stoked to finally beat him back.”
Dantas did not seem intimidated by Medina’s recent successes when they faced each other in Heat 6.
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The two went wave for wave in a thrilling heat and Dantas seemed destined for a big upset with just 10 minutes left.
But Medina did what he does best and found a long, glassie wave to show off his technical prowess and scored a 9.50 to win the heat.
The 25-year-old has competed in just two Championship Tour events in his career, finishing in 25th place at both the Quiksilver Pro in France 2012 and the Fiji Pro last year.
Back in 2005 he was named the Quiksilver “King of the Groms” in France, which catapulted his career on to the world stage.
This year marks the first season as a World Surf League top 32 surfer for Dantas, after seven years of chasing points in the Qualifying Series.
The goofy footer is a popular figure on the world circuit, with surfing legend Kelly Slater even considering naming his dog after Dantas.
“He is a good friend of mine and he has a great name,” Slater said.
“When I got a dog four years ago me and Kalani (Miller) named him Wiggolly Dantas for the first few days.
“But he is a great all-round surfer who is fast and has good flow on the wave.
“He will definitely be one to look out for this year.”
Dantas will now face Sydney surfer Kai Otton in an elimination second-round heat.
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