Australian surfer George Pittar has caused a major upset by defeating three-time Brazilian world champion Gabriel Medina to claim his first World Surf League event victory.
Final showdown at Margaret River
Pittar capitalised on a rare error from Medina during Sunday's final of the Margaret River Pro in Western Australia, winning the decider with a score of 15.17 to 12.46.
Despite a protest from Medina, Pittar secured priority and delivered a remarkable 9.00 ride, the highest wave score of the entire men's event, which allowed him to maintain the lead for the remainder of the final.
An emotional Pittar expressed his disbelief after the win, stating, "I don't even know what to say, honestly. I haven't won a comp since I was like 15 years old. I had a couple of seconds last year and it was bittersweet, making that many heats — I just wanted to win one so bad, I want to get chaired up."
He added, "And like holy s*** I just beat Medina in a final here."
Celebration and flag waving
True to his word, Pittar celebrated by being carried up the steps by fellow surfers Timmy Mac and Jacob Wilcox, shouting with joy as he waved an Australian flag.
Pittar's victory is even more impressive given that he is back on the championship tour after missing the mid-season cut last year. This was his first heat against Medina, and it caps an astonishing run against Brazilian world champions in the event.
Path to victory
Earlier on Sunday, Pittar defeated 2019 world champion Italo Ferreira in their semi-final. On Saturday, he overcame Brazil's reigning world champion Yago Dora in the quarter-final.
Pittar was also the best-performing Australian in the men's event of the opening round at Bells Beach earlier this month, where he was the only local surfer to reach the third round.
Women's event
In the women's competition, American Lakey Peterson defeated Brazil's rising star Luana Silva to win the Margaret River Pro for the second time.
