Medina didn’t specify the commitments that would keep him away from the Tahiti Pro. Photo: Tony Heff//World Surf League
Three-time World Surf League champion Gabriel Medina declined an offer to compete in the Tahiti Pro as an injury replacement wildcard. The Brazilian media Globo previously reported that Medina asked for one of the two event wildcards in May, but the WSL denied the request because the wildcards were already reserved for Olympic gold medalist Kauli Vaast and the trials event winner, Mihimana Braye.
Medina’s team had informed Globo that he would not accept a last-minute invite to the event if a surfer were to get injured. When Alejo Muniz announced that he was pulling out of the event due to shoulder surgery, Medina held to his word and passed on the WSL’s invite.
“Gabriel Medina was offered the injury replacement wildcard; however, he was unable to accept due to previously scheduled commitments,” the WSL said in a press release.
Instead, the newly opened slot will go to Tahitian Teiva Tairoa, who finished runner-up in the July 20 trial event.
The Inertia reached out to Medina’s management to ask what commitments he has in August that take precedence over the Championship Tour event in Tahiti. We did not immediately receive a response.
The WSL announced that the remaining women’s event wildcard will go to Teahupo’o local and reigning event winner Vahine Fierro. Twelve-year-old Kelia Mehani Gallina earned the women’s trial wildcard spot and will join Fierro in the bracket.
The Tahiti Pro will take place August 7-16 at Teahupo’o, the renowned left-hander that hosted surfing at the 2024 Olympics. It’s the last event of the season to determine the top five surfers to compete at the WSL Finals in Fiji later in August.
Editor’s Note: This story was originally published under the wrong author’s name. Evan Quarnstrom penned this piece. We regret the error.
