Brazilian surfer, Gabriel Medina, made history at the Paris Olympics by earning the highest single wave score ever recorded, a remarkable 9.90, during the fifth heat on Monday.
His performance propelled him into the men’s surfing quarterfinals, and a captivating photograph of Medina celebrating has become one of the most iconic images from the Games.
Photographer Jerome Brouillet captured the moment as Medina, appearing to float above the water with his right arm raised and his hand making a No. 1 sign, seemed to defy gravity.
The shot, taken in Teahupo’o on Tahiti—an Olympic venue located the farthest from the host city in Games history—showcases Medina’s thrilling achievement.
Despite his historic score, Medina felt his wave deserved a perfect 10.
“I felt like it was a 10. I’ve done a few 10s before, and I was like, ‘For sure that’s a 10’. The wave was so perfect,” he said. He added, “It’s super dangerous out there. When the waves are hollow like this, it’s super shallow. There’s some solid waves out there, but we love it.”
Brouillet, who had previously photographed Medina, was prepared for the iconic shot.
“I was not surprised about that, I was prepared,” Brouillet told The Washington Post. “I and the other photographers on the boat were supposing he was going to make a kick-out, and that’s what he did.”
The surfing competition is taking place in Tahiti, a French overseas territory, marking the furthest distance an Olympic event has ever been held from the host city. On Monday, the competition narrowed the field from 16 to 8.
In the fifth heat, Medina competed against Kanoa Igarashi from Japan, who had previously defeated him at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Although both surfers initially struggled with smaller waves, Medina’s second wave was spectacular.
He soared down the barrel of the wave, signaling a perfect 10 before launching himself over the wave and into the air.
With a 9.90 score, Medina achieved the highest single-wave score in Olympic surfing history.
NBC Sports broadcasters have hinted at his strong chances for gold, though he still has two rounds ahead.
Regardless of the final outcome, Medina’s viral photo has garnered over 3 million likes on Instagram, solidifying his status as a social media sensation.
Olympic surfing, which debuted at the Tokyo Games, continues this summer and will return in 2028.
The competition resumes Tuesday evening with the bronze and gold medal matches.
Medina will face off against Alonso Correa, Peru, Reo Inaba, Japan, Kauli Vaast, France, Joan Duru, France, Joao Chianca, Brazil, Ethan Ewing, Australia, and Jack Robinson, Australia, in the men’s quarterfinals.
