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Brazil's Gabriel Medina celebrates during the final day of the Billabong Pipeline Masters. Source: AFP
CARNAVAL and thousands of dancing, singing fans came to Pipeline as Gabriel Medina claimed Brazil’s first world surfing crown on the same day Aussie Julian Wilson confirmed himself as a champion of the future with his Billabong Pipe Masters win.
Despite breaking his board in the final, Wilson still managed to hold out 2014 world champion Medina for the biggest win of his career in Hawaii.
“This is the best competitive day of my life,’’ said an emotional Wilson who also won the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing thanks to his event win only secured in the dying minutes of the final.
“We got to duke it out. That is so cool.’’
Gabriel Medina rides a wave during the fourth round of the Pipeline Masters. Source: AFP
But on a day of upsets, a changing of the guard, history making feats and the extraordinary performance of a young giantslayer it was Medina who was the star.
The 20-year-old won the world title midway through the day, got back in the water for just 10 minutes of his quarter-final and then ended up runner-up to Queenslander Wilson.
“It is my best day ever,’’ said the deeply religious Medina who won the Quiksilver Pro Gold Goast and events in Fiji and Tahiti to go into the finale in the No.1 spot.
“Brazil they are partying I think right now. I am thankful to be part of this.â€
Medina walks along the beach at the Pipeline Masters. Source: AFP
Medina’s success came via some help from unvaunted fellow South American Alejo Muniz who took down both of Medina’s rivals for the world title - Australian defending world champion Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater.
The crowd chanted “Alejo, Alejo†in tribute to the 23-year-old as 20-year-old Medina was kissed, cuddled and embraced by friends, family and fans in mob scenes at Pipeline.
“I feel honoured to be the one (the first Brazilian world champion),†he said.
The other hero of the day, Muniz, was just as happy.
“It is amazing. He is champion. His happiness, it means a lot to everyone,’’ he said.
“It is a special day for myself to surf against Kelly and Mick and make those heats. I just wanted to help Gabriel as much as I could.’’
Medina, a close friend of Brazilian football star Neymar, is one of the most popular surfers in the world with more than 700,000 Instagram followers and close to 60,000 fans on Twitter.
Originally published as Medina topples Fanning for world title