Surfer Gabriel Medina made history on July 29 during the surfing competition in Tahiti by scoring the highest wave in Olympic history, a near-perfect 9.90. Facing off against Kanoa Igarashi, the man who bested him at the Tokyo Olympics, Medina was determined to come out on top this time. And he did just that, defeating Igarashi with an impressive performance.
The moment of triumph was captured in a stunning photograph taken by Jerome Brouillet from Agence France-Presse. As Medina rode the wave, he leapt from his surfboard, raising his finger in victory as his board flew parallel to him. The image perfectly encapsulated the jubilation and excitement of the historic win.
Brouillet shared his experience of capturing the iconic shot, noting that the ideal wave conditions contributed to the success of the photograph. The image, while not a typical surf photograph, resonated with many viewers due to its unique and captivating nature.
Medina's victory not only marked a personal triumph but also a significant moment in Olympic surfing history. His exceptional performance and the memorable photograph will undoubtedly be remembered as a highlight of the competition.