Gabriel Medina Soars at Olympic Surfing in Tahiti

A stunning image of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina soaring through the air during the Olympic Games in Tahiti has left a lasting impression. The strength of the famous Teahupo’o waves truly launched him into the spotlight on the third day of the surf competition.

Medina, a three-time world champion, has seen it all, but this moment added another name to his list of accomplishments: Superman. This incredible shot, captured by photographer Morgan Maassen, took place during his third heat at the Olympics.

At just 30 years old, Medina almost scored flawless 10 points with a breathtaking ride, earning a 9.90 on his second wave. He expressed his excitement, sharing, “Felt amazing to get some good waves and I almost got a 10, so I was really happy with that.” He continued, “It’s really a dream come true to compete in waves like this for the Olympics.”

In his fifth heat, Medina faced off against Japan’s competitor, and the conditions were nothing short of massive. He noted, “When it’s like this you just worry about yourself and there’s waves for everyone. You’ve got to surf and show what you’ve got.” He stressed focusing on the goal rather than overthinking strategies.

Feeling pleased with his performance, Medina highlighted the rarity of such surf conditions, stating, “It’s not often you get the opportunity to surf these kinds of waves. You have to make the most out of any moment.”

Advancing to the quarter-finals, Medina will take on fellow Brazilian surfers. He shared his game plan: “I will relax, sleep and wait for the next round. I hope the conditions will be the same as today. It was incredible.”

Medina, who is usually quite private, understands the impact he has on fans and feels a sense of duty. He said, “What I’m doing in my life is the legacy I’m going to leave.” He values being a role model and aims to be a positive influence on younger generations.

With love and support coming from everywhere he travels, Medina reflects on his journey: “Every time I’m in the water I am thinking about this, and I have to do my job, but I’m happy with that. Kids love me, and it’s a great way to live.”