SPECIAL OVERVIEW 2017 FIJI'S DEFENDING CHAMPION -GABRIEL MEDINA(BRA)
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GABRIEL MEDINA(BRA) is a professional surfer of Maresias, São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil.
Sponsors:Matt Nabney, Rip Curl, Guaraná Antarctica, Oi, Mitsubish Motors, Samsung Galaxy, Oakley, Gorilla, FCS, Vult, Coppertone, Cabianca Surfboards.
He entered to World Circuit of Surfing in 2011, and has already conquered three ultimate titles :
2013 -
WSL World Junior Champion;
2014 -
WSL World Champion;
2015 -
Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Champion - Hawaii
In the last two Season in Championship Tour - World Surf League, he reached the 3rd position:
2015 -
3rd position -
2016 -
3rd position -
Gabriel has already
seven Wins in the World Circuit of Surfing as follows:
2016-
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Fiji Pro -Tavarua - Fiji
2015
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Quiksilver Pro France Hossegor, Aquitaine - France
2014
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Billabong Pro Teahupoo -Tahiti - French Polynesia
Fiji Pro Tavarua - Fiji
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast - Gold Coast, Queensland - Australia
2011
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Rip Curl Search - San Francisco, California - United States
Quiksilver Pro France - Hossegor, Aquitaine - France
The 2014 World Champion has already
won two times in Tavarua, Fiji. So let's check his performance in this stage.
2011 - Did not dispute;
2012 - 2nd place ;
2013 - 25th place;
2014 - 1st place ;
2015 - 13th place;
2016 - 1st place.
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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR IN BRAZIL
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My first WCt was in 2008, in Vila Beach, Imbituba, Santa Catarina, Brazil, which continued till 2010. In 2011, the stage of World Circuit of Surfing moved to Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. Gabriel Medina(BRA) did not dispute the stage in Barra da Tijuca in 2011 because his "debut" in the elite of Surfing was at 7th stop - Hurley Pro 2011 - Trestles, California, USA, September 18/24th,2011.
In his "debut"in World Circuit of Surfing, Gabriel Medina(BRA) won two stages as follows:
8th stop -
Quiksilver Pro 2011 - Hossegor - France;
10th stop -
Rip Curl Pro Search 2011 - San Francisco, CA, USA.
Let's check Gabriel's performance in the stages in Brazil.
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2011
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BILLABONG RIO PRO 2011 -Arpoador , Barra da Tijuca -Posto 4 -Rio de Janeiro -Brazil
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It was my first WCT -World Championship Tour by ASP -Association of Surfing Professionals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil..
The event had three structures, at Arpoador, Barra da Tijuca -Posto 4, and Recreio dos Bandeirantes.
I came from Porto Alegre - RS by Azul Airlines and that moment it was raining a lot in Rio de Janeiro.
So I stayed only in the first week, see the Trials and Women's competition.
I also took many photos of the Event in Arpoador and Barra da Tijuca -Posto 4 - Sheraton Hotel.
I asked in English the top surfers for a photo to my surf blog.
And all atlhetes always were so kind and attended me so well...
Some of them I already knew of Praia da Vila - Imbituba -Santa Catarina , Brazil.
My friends in Southern Brazil asked me if I Knew the new Brazilian surfing idol, the young surfer Gabriel Medina, than I said next year for sure I will know him.
FIJI
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Gabriel did not dispute the contest in Tavarua, Fiji.(only entered in Sep.2012)
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2012
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BILLABONG RIO PRO 2012 - Arpoador and Barra da Tijuca -Postinho - Rio de Janeiro-Brazil
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May 09th, 2012 - Lay Day
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Unfortunately Gabriel Medina(BRA)was defeated in Round 2 by Peterson Crisanto(BRA).
I did not know Gabriel Medina(BRA) yet!!!
I caught a bus to Recreio dos Bandeirantes, and walked away to Prainha(700 meters of beautiful and cult beach)
Somebody else told me Gabriel Medina(BRA) will be there for a free surfing session.
There I knew two girls from Maresias, São Sebastião(SP), the town of Gabriel Medina. He already had won two WCTs(see the blog).
I stayed on the shore talking with the Maresias' girls awaiting for Gabriel Medina(BRA)leave the water, when the girls said to me: Gabriel used to surf for a long time.
I became upset because in fact I would like to know Gabriel personally but there was no bus from Prainha to Recreio and could be longer time and get dark so I decided to give up for awhile and wait next opportunity.
FIJI
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Gabriel Medina(BRA) was the deputychampion-----------
-2nd
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2013
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BILLABONG RIO PRO 2013 - Arpoador and Barra da Tijuca -Postinho -Rio de Janeiro -Brazil
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Gabriel Medina(BRA)surfed very well in this contest, just was stopped in Semifinals by Adriano de Souza(BRA).
I was in downtown so I used to arrived in Barra - Postinho - around 7:30 am and unfortunatelly Gabriel Medina(BRA) loose his heat but I could take some photos of him on the shore.
That was the first time I knew personally Gabriel Medina(BRA).
He is tall(1.80m), strong, and so nice with everybody and has many fans in Brazil and overseas too.
FIJI
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Gabriel Medina(BRA) .....25th positiion
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2014
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BILLABONG RIO PRO 2014- Barra da Tijuca- Postinho - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
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Each year is different!!!
Fortunatelly I could film Gabriel Medina(BRA) at second heat of Round 1 against Raoni Monteiro(BRA) and Adrian Buchan(AUS).
Results:
May, 7th 2014
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Round 1
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Heat 2-
G. Medina(BRA)14.53 x R. Monteiro(BRA) 10.17 x A. Buchan(AUS)7.87
At this heat Gabriel Medina(BRA)used yellow jersey because he was the first in ASP WCT Ranking.
Fortunatelly I was able to take a nice photo of Gabriel Medina(BRA) right after the heat when he was leaving the water
And I also could film the heat for awhile with my Nokia 500.
May, 9th 2014
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Lay Day-
At "lay days" of competitions I used to go to Barra da Tijuca, to take some photos, watch surf "free sessions" and so on..
So this day at beginning of afternoon I was going to Quebra-Mar to take some photos exactly when Gabriel Medina(BRA) and his friends were leaving his apartment in front of the event structure.
I did not disturb Gabriel anyway in his rest time, I just shake his hand and said:
Vamos ganhar!!! -Let's win, will you???
And he answered: "Beleza" - Nice!!!
At this moment I was using my luck cap of 2009 WCT Hang Loose and my Rip Curl back pack.
Maybe he tought I was referring about the World Championship not to the 4th stop in Rio.(post in May )
I had my cell with me but I did not ask for a photo or anything else. He is calm, nice and simpatic
with everybody else, he has the Champion features...
So I went to Quebra-Mar so happy because I had the opportunity to shake Gabriel's hand and I desired all luck and good vibes for him...
May 11th, 2014
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At Round 3
Heat 1
Travis Logie(SAF) 15.50 x 15.00 Gabriel Medina(BRA)
Gabriel Medina(BRA)generally surfed at beginning of the Rounds, but this time I could take some photos but unfortunatelly he loose to Travis Logie(SAF)a good surfer too.
After Billabong Rio Pro 2014
Gabriel Medina(BRA) won in Fiji Pro and Billabong Pro Tahiti.
I thought to myself Gabriel may be the WCT Surfing champion this year...
Charles, his stepfather said: Gabriel will be the champion this year, and he WAS.
He took the Brazilian's flag to the top in the surfing world...
Even the great champions: kelly Slater(USA), Mick Fanning(AUS) recognized Gabriel Medina as the Great Surfing Champion of 2014.
For my blog and all surfing community in Brazil, it was so wonderfull Gabriel Medina(BRA)conquered the first Surfing World Champion.
Gabriel Medina(BRA) was the first now but may come others top surfers of Brazilian storm generation.
FIJI
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Gabriel Medina(BRA)was the
Champion.
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OI RIO PRO 2015 - POSTINHO BEACH, BARRA DA TIJUCA, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
SAMSUNG GALAXY CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR
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In its first event of surfing, OI promoted the biggest Championship of Surfing of all times in Brazil, the papers said that there were thousands of people in Postinho Beach,and everybody wanted to approach the current World Champion of Surfing, Gabriel Medina(BRA).He had security all time..He disputed the contest in Brazil till Round ......
I had the opportunity to know Mr. Charles, stepfather of Gabriel Medina(BRA). He is nice, calm and attended me so well.
Filipe Toledo surfed very well and defeated Bede Durbidge(AUS)in the Final, with heavy waves in Postinho Beach.
Resultados;
FIJI
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Gabriel was 13th position.
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OI RIO PRO 2016 -POSTINHO BEACH, BARRA DA TIJUCA, GRUMARI BEACH, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL -SAMSUNG GALAXY CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR
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This championship had heats in Grumari Beach, in this first days of the contest, which was later moved to Postinho Beach.
Gabriel reached the Semifinals, but unfortunately was defeated by Jack Freestone(AUS)that was surfing very well in the contest.
FIJI
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Gabriel Position was the
Champion
Gabriel Medina(BRA)won the contest by the second time(2014/2016),he has an excellent performance
in the perfects waves, the classic days...
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OI RIO PRO 2017 - ITAUNA BEACH, SAQUAREMA, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
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The stage in Brazil of World Circuit of Surfing moved from Barra da Tijuca to Itauna Beach, in Saquarema, 90km from the Capital,the city of Rio de Janeiro..Saquarem(RJ)had already received the World Championship in 2002, when Taj Burrow(AUS)won the contest.(see the blog)
Gabriel surfed very well in Saquarema, he was defeated in the Round 1, at opening heat in Itauna Beach, on Tuesday, May 9th.
On Wednesday, May 10th, in the third heat in the morning, Gabriel Medina(BRA) defeated his known adversary Jesse Mendes(BRA)who surfed very well in his second contest in the season in the elite of Surfing.
It was "Lay Day" on Thursday, May 11th, the Sea went down.. The contest restart on Friday, May 12th, in the Heat 5 of Round 2 and later continued ON the Round 3 and Gabriel Medina(BRA) defeated Bede Dirbdige(AUS)and was classified to the Round 4.
On Saturday the event was "ON" ;were disputed the remaining heats of Round 3, Gabriel did not enter on the water this day. He would face the 2015 World Champion Adriano de Souza(BRA), and Wiggoly Dantas(BRA), on the opening heat, of Round 4.
Next day, on Sunday May 14th, in the morning the Round 4 was disputed and Gabriel was defeated and would dispute the Recap on the next day of competition..
On Monday May 15th, the Sea went down, but a big swell was arriving, with a strong wind too...So was announced day off for the day.
On Tuesday May 16th, in the morning, the Sea was "shaked" with strong wind on the shore, the say even the outside looked like a "wash machine". So the Organization let the contest Off again for waiting better condictions of the Sea, what was supposed next days.
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On Wednesday, May 17th, the contest was "standy by" but the Sea was "going up" with good formation of waves so the contest started again in the Recap -Round 5.Gabriel faced Yago Dora(BRA)that was surfing very well in Saquarema;he had already defeated the current World Champion John John Florence(HAW).
Gabriel surfed very well this heat, however was defeated by Yago Dora(BRA) on last second ,in his last wave, surfed not high aerial full rotation.
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Gabriel performance in the last three seasons, is excellent, as we can check;
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2016
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Top 22 Championship Tour -Jeep WSL Ranking
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1.John John Florence(HAW)
2.Jordy Smith(RSA)
3.GABRIEL MEDINA(BRA)
4.Kolohe Andino(USA)
5.Matt Wilkinson(AUS)
6.Michel Bourez(PYF)
7.Kelly Slater(USA)
8.Julian Wilson(AUS)
9.Joel Parkinson(AUS)
10.Filipe Toledo (BRA)
11.Adriano de Souza(BRA)
12.Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
13.Josh Kerr(AUS)
14.Adrian Buchan(AUS)
15.Ítalo Ferreira(BRA)
16.Caio Ibelli(BRA)
17.Mick Fanning(AUS)
18.Connor Coffin(USA)
19.Stuart Kennedy(AUS)
20.Kanoa Igarashi(USA)
21.Wiggolly Dantas(BRA)
22.Miguel Pupo(BRA)
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2015
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Top 22 Championship Tour
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1.Adriano de Souza(BRA)
2.Mick Fanning(AUS)
3.GABRIEL MEDINA(BRA)
4.Filipe Toledo(BRA)
5.Owen Wright(AUS)
6.Julian Wilson(AUS)
7.Italo Ferreira(BRA)
8.Jeremy Flores(FRA)
9.Kelly Slater(USA)
10.Nat Young(USA)
11.Josh Kerr(AUS)
12.Bede Durbidge(AUS)
13.Joel Parkinson(AUS)
14.J.J. Florence(HAW)
15.Wiggoly Dantas(BRA)
16.Taj Burrow(AUS)
17.Kai Otton(AUS)
18.Matt Wilkinson(AUS)
19.Adrian Buchan(AUS)
20.Keanu Asing(HAW)
21.Michel Bourez(PYF)
22.Jadson Andre(BRA)
2014
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Top 22 Championship Tour
1.Gabriel Medina(BRA)
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On last year, in the islands Tavarua, Namotu, Fiji in South of Pacific Ocean, Gabriel Medina(BRA) started a outstanding recovery in searching of the Title of the Season when was Champion there for the second time.
Gabriel Medina(BRA)is so focused on the contests; he likes of "
surfing sessions" so early in the morning. He reaches a high speed to make the risk manuevers, and always tries the best,
the high score. He has many and many fans in Brazil and all over the World.
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source:https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_MedinaWikipedia/WSL-World Surf League
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2017 - surfworldtour.blogspot.com. -all rights reserved - Rio de Janeiro - BRAZIL
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