Surfing-World champ Medina to miss season opener in Hawaii

"The past few months have been a difficult time for me personally and it has taken a toll," the Brazilian said on Monday https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/495489/defending-world-champion-gabriel-medina-withdraws-from-billabong-pro-pipeline. "I had every intention of competing for the full season, had made all the preparations medically, I took my COVID vaccination during my holidays, and mentally and physically, but I'm not in a place where I believe I can perform against the world's best surfers right now and I need to focus on my well-being." Medina has not finished outside the top three since winning the first of his three world titles in 2014.

Surfing's defending world champion Gabriel Medina will miss the opening contest of the 2022 World Surf League (WSL) tour that starts in Hawaii this week, saying he needs to focus on his well-being. "The past few months have been a difficult time for me personally and it has taken a toll," the Brazilian said on Monday https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/495489/defending-world-champion-gabriel-medina-withdraws-from-billabong-pro-pipeline.

"I had every intention of competing for the full season, had made all the preparations medically, I took my COVID vaccination during my holidays, and mentally and physically, but I'm not in a place where I believe I can perform against the world's best surfers right now and I need to focus on my well-being." Medina has not finished outside the top three since winning the first of his three world titles in 2014. He is a past winner at the Billabong Pro Pipeline, which kicks off the 2022 tour when its waiting period begins on Saturday.

The powerful goofy-footer - he stands with his right foot forward - is a fan favourite in Brazil for his aerial antics and fearlessness in dangerous, hollow waves like Pipeline and Tahiti's Teahupo'o. His infamous competitive focus appeared to soften last year when he toured with his new wife and a new coach by his side. Still, he dominated the season and won the title https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/brazils-medina-overcomes-toledo-shark-scare-win-third-world-title-2021-09-14/#:~:text=Sept%2014%20(Reuters)%20-%20Brazil 's,Southern%20Californian%20surf%20on%20Tuesday in California in September, outscoring fellow Brazilian Filipe Toledo in the finals.

WSL CEO Erik Logan said the governing body fully supported Medina's decision to prioritise his well-being. "We'll obviously miss having our reigning World Champion at the 2022 CT kick-off at the Billabong Pro Pipeline, and we will be here to welcome him back when he's ready," Logan said.

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