How Gabriel Medina’s Olympics surfing run created one of the most iconic sports images ever

Here’s the story behind the viral surfing picture from the Paris Olympics.

Gabriel Medina is one of the greatest surfers in the world. With 18 WSL Championship Tour victories, along with 31 appearances in a Final, the Brazilian is one of the most accomplished surfers on the planet and is second only to Kelly Slater when it comes to World titles.

Monday at the 2024 Paris Summer Games Medina not only made surfing history, but delivered perhaps the iconic image of the entire Games.

Teahupo’o on Monday hosted the third round of the men’s competition, with 16 surfers squaring off in head-to-head competition. Medina was matched up with Kanoa Igarashi from Japan in the fifth heat, which was dominated by huge waves and some scary spills.

But then Medina caught this incredible wave, and put on an absolute show. As you will see in the two below clips, first Medina completely disappears under the curtain, only to emerge moments later holding up al ten fingers to the judges.

A clear call to the judges that his wave was worth a perfect ten.

However, Medina was not done, because as his wave came to an end Medina launched off his board and into the air, with just one index finger extended:

Medina was awarded a 9.90 by the judges, the highest single-wave score in Olympic history. But it is that second part of the wave that produced one of the most memorable photos in Olympic history, captured by Jerome Brouillet of AFP/Getty:

Photo by JEROME BROUILLET/AFP via Getty Images

There is Medina in all his glory not just walking on water — as he seemed to do moments before — but levitating above it.

Medina won his heat to advance to the quarterfinals, where he will face fellow Brazilian João Chianca.

“I never imagined we could get waves like this in the Olympics,” said Medina following Monday’s third round. “I’m comfortable when the waves are good and as long as it’s like this, it’s good for everyone ... Today was a good day for sure.”

Perhaps an iconic one.