History of Gabriel Medina in Timeline
Gabriel Medina is a highly accomplished Brazilian professional surfer with three WSL World Championship titles (2014, 2018, 2021). Known for his ability to perform under pressure, Medina boasts 18 WSL Championship Tour event victories and 31 Final appearances. He ranks second only to Kelly Slater in the number of World Titles among active male surfers. Medina has secured a spot in the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games.
1987: Previous Record for Youngest Open-Age Pro Winner
In 1987, Australian surfer Nick Wood set a record by winning the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach at the age of 16, a record that stood until Gabriel Medina's win in 2009.
1992: Kelly Slater's ASP World Championship Win
Kelly Slater won the ASP World Championship in 1992 at the age of 20, a feat matched by Gabriel Medina in 2014.
December 1993: Birth of Gabriel Medina
Gabriel Medina was born in December 1993.
2000: Brazil's First ISA World Surfing Games Gold Medal Since 2000
Team Brazil's victory at the 2019 ISA World Surfing Games marked their first gold medal in the event since 2000.
2004: Last Goofy-Footer Win at Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
Prior to Gabriel Medina's victory in 2014, the last goofy-footer to win the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast was in 2004.
2008: Early Success in Amateur Championships
At 14, Gabriel Medina was already making waves, competing in the finals of the Paulista Championship and becoming the Paulista Junior Champion. He also participated in the World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-star event, Onbongo Pro Surfing 2008, where he defeated his idol, Adriano de Souza.
2008: Partnership with Shaper Johnny Cabianca
Gabriel Medina began his long-standing collaboration with renowned surfboard shaper Johnny Cabianca in 2008.
July 2009: Professional Surfing Debut and Record-Breaking Win
In July 2009, Gabriel Medina signed a contract with Rip Curl, embarking on his professional surfing journey. Just ten days later, he made history by becoming the youngest male winner of an open-age pro competition at the Maresias Surf International in Brazil, at the age of 15. This victory shattered a long-standing record previously held by Australian surfer Nick Wood.
2009: Youngest Surfer to Win a Qualifying Series Event
At 15 years old, Gabriel Medina became the youngest surfer to win a major Qualifying Series event in 2009.
2011: Joining the World Surf League Tour
Gabriel Medina joined the prestigious World Surf League Tour in 2011 at the age of 17.
2011: Breakthrough Year with WCT Wins and Contract Extension
Gabriel Medina's exceptional talent was evident in 2011 as he secured victories in several WQS events and the Pro Junior World Championship. His achievements led to a contract extension with Rip Curl. At 17, he debuted on the ASP World Championship Tour, securing two WCT event wins despite competing for only half the season.
2013: World Junior Tour (ASP) Champion
At 19, Gabriel Medina added another accomplishment to his name by winning the World Junior Tour (ASP) in 2013.
2014: Historic Wins and First Brazilian ASP World Champion
Gabriel Medina started 2014 strong by winning the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, marking the first time a Brazilian male surfer had won this event. His winning streak continued with victories at the Volcom Fiji Pro and the Billabong Pro Teahupoo. Despite a second-place finish at the Billabong Pipeline Masters, Medina's performance throughout the year secured him the title of ASP World Champion at 20, the youngest since Kelly Slater's win at the same age in 1992.
2014: First WSL World Championship Title
Gabriel Medina won his first WSL World Championship title in 2014.
2014: Four Years of Top 3 Finishes
Since his World Title win in 2014, Gabriel Medina consistently finished within the top three surfers, highlighting his dominance and consistency in the sport.
2015: Dominance and Title Contender
By 2015, Gabriel Medina had secured more Championship Tour victories than any other competitor, solidifying his status as a perennial World Title contender.
2015: Quiksilver Pro France Victory and Hawaiian Triple Crown
In 2015, Gabriel Medina triumphed at the Quiksilver Pro France, securing his sixth WCT event win. He continued his winning momentum by becoming the first Brazilian to win the prestigious Hawaiian Triple Crown of Surfing title. Despite finishing as runner-up in the Pipe Masters, Medina ended the year ranked third in the world.
2015: First Victory on a Cabianca Surfboard
Medina achieved his first victory riding a surfboard shaped by Johnny Cabianca at the Quiksilver Pro France in 2015.
May 2016: Landing the "Backflip" in Competition
Gabriel Medina created a historic moment at the Oi Rio Pro in May 2016 by becoming the first surfer to successfully land a "Backflip" in competition, earning him a perfect score and a place in surfing history.
June 2016: Seventh WCT Event Win
Gabriel Medina's winning streak continued in June 2016 when he won his seventh WCT event at Cloudbreak, Fiji. This victory solidified his position as the most victorious Brazilian surfer in CT history at just 22 years old.
2017: Victory at Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch
In 2017, Gabriel Medina made history by becoming one of the first surfers to win a competition in a man-made wave pool at Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California. He also secured victories at the Quiksilver Pro France and MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, bringing his total WCT wins to nine. Despite a strong finish to the season, Medina ended the year ranked second.
2018: Second WSL World Championship Title
Gabriel Medina clinched his second WSL World Championship title in 2018.
2018: A Historic Year for Brazilian Surfing and Medina's Second World Title
The year 2018 was a landmark year for Brazilian surfing, with Brazilian surfers dominating the Championship Tour. Gabriel Medina played a key role in this success, securing his second World Championship title with victories in Tahiti, California (wave pool), and Pipeline. This year marked Medina's rise as the most accomplished surfer from Brazil.
2019: Goofy-footer History at J-Bay
In 2019, Gabriel Medina made history at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, by participating in the first-ever goofy-footers final and becoming the first goofy-footer in 35 years to win the event.
2019: Controversy at the Billabong Pipe Masters
Medina faced criticism for unsportsmanlike conduct at the 2019 Billabong Pipe Masters after an incident where he dropped in on a fellow competitor.
2019: Bronze at ISA World Surfing Games and Team Brazil's Victory
Gabriel Medina won the bronze medal at the 2019 ISA World Surfing Games in Miyazaki, Japan, helping Team Brazil secure the gold medal for the first time since 2000.
2019: Runner-Up Finish in World Title Race
Gabriel Medina finished the 2019 season as runner-up to fellow Brazilian Ítalo Ferreira in the World Title race after losing to him in the final of the Billabong Pipe Masters.
2019: Third Win at Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch
Gabriel Medina achieved his 14th CT event win and third consecutive win at Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch in the 2019 Freshwater Pro, becoming the only surfer to win all three individual competitions held at the venue at that time.
September 2020: Launch of "Medina Softboards"
In September 2020, Medina introduced his own line of softboards, called "Medina Softboards," designed for beginner and intermediate surfers.
2020: Representing Brazil at the Tokyo Olympics
Gabriel Medina was selected to represent Brazil in surfing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics alongside 2019 WCT Champion Ítalo Ferreira.
2020: Fourth Place Finish at the Olympics
Medina finished fourth in the men's surfing competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, narrowly missing out on the bronze medal to Australia's Owen Wright.
2021: Third WSL World Championship Title
Gabriel Medina achieved his third WSL World Championship title in 2021.
2021: Third WSL World Title
Gabriel Medina secured his third World Surf League (WSL) World Title in 2021, joining an elite group of surfers with three or more titles, including Tom Curren, Andy Irons, and Mick Fanning.
January 2022: Indefinite Break from Competitive Surfing
In January 2022, Medina announced an indefinite break from competitive surfing to prioritize his mental health.
March 3, 2024: ISA World Surfing Games Victory and Olympic Qualification
On March 3, 2024, Medina won the men's final at the ISA World Surfing Games, securing his qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games as part of Team Brazil.
2024: Olympic Games Qualification
Gabriel Medina successfully qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games.