Gabriel Medina secured a place in the semifinal of the competition in the Philippines after turning around his heat against Australian George Pittar with a decisive aerial maneuver. The three-time world champion won 12.33 to 9.17, recording scores of 7.00 and 5.33, while Pittar posted 6.50 and 2.67.
Medina was trailing with about two minutes remaining when he found a right-breaking ramp and launched into the air, completing a rotation. Although he landed on his back in the water, he managed to recover and finish the maneuver. The wave earned a 7.00, giving him the lead.
His semifinal opponent will be Yago Dora, the current world rankings leader. Dora defeated Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi after scoring 17.37 points from waves rated 9.87 and 7.50. Igarashi finished with 9.60, based on scores of 4.93 and 4.67.
Among the top five surfers in the world rankings, only Medina and Dora remain in contention at the event.
Sources: CNN Brasil.