Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina achieved the highest single wave score in Olympic history, scoring a 9.90 in the fifth heat on Monday, which led to his advancement to the men’s surfing quarterfinals. Additionally, a photographer captured one of the most iconic images from the Paris Games while following his performance. Medina’s celebration was captured by photographer Jerome Brouillet. Both Medina and his board appear to be floating above the water as he holds his right arm in the air while making a No. 1 sign with his hand.
Medina’s statement, “Felt amazing to get some good waves and I almost got a 10 so I was really happy with that. It’s really a dream come true to compete in waves like this for the Olympics. It was really in my dream and I’m realizing this today and I’m very happy to be a part of this. When it’s like this you just worry about yourself and there’s waves for everyone and you’ve got to go for it. There’s no different strategy. You’ve got to surf and got to show what you got and be focused on your goal.
Although Medina has edged closer to his dream of an Olympic medal, he believed the judges could have acknowledged his performance more generously.
“I thought it deserved a 10,” said the three-time WSL world champion after his heat. “I’ve scored a few 10s in the past, and I was convinced that was a 10. The wave was just perfect.”
Even if his performance didn’t score a perfect 10, the spectacle was undeniably a vision of perfection.
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