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Diversity? Yeah, he's got that. Photo: ASP | Kirstin

Big wave game? Yeah, he’s got that too. Photo: ASP | Kirstin


The Inertia

The title race is very much on. John John and Joel Parkinson are out; and Kelly, Mick and Medina are all heading to Hawaii to fight for the world title. Portugal was firing. We’ve seen 10 point rides, favorites being knocked out in the early rounds and some golden free surfing. You can feel the tension as the last event of the tour approaches, and the title is within reach of all three contenders. Here’s why I think Gabriel Medina is the man for the 2014 title.

1. He will be the first South American and Brazilian to win an ASP world title. That’s a good thing, not only for him, but for a whole nation.

2. Before this year, everyone thought he was just an aerial kid. Then he won in Tahiti, the heaviest wave on tour, and shut us all up.

3. He’s really a sweet guy. He always refers to his support from his family and how much his fans mean to him, which is awesome because we don’t need any of that “I wanna win and everyone else can eat shit” attitude.

4. This will be the last year before they change the name to World Surf League. If there’s anyone deserves the glory of an ASP World Title, it’s Medina. No one else has worked harder.

5. He’s got a very passionate fan base. Fans are good for the sport. Let’s face it, in all professional sports, the athletes wouldn’t have the opportunity to show the world what they’re capable of without the fans. And there are no fans more passionate than Gabriel Medina’s.

6. Kelly doesn’t need it this year. He is clearly surfing’s Benjamin Button, and he ain’t going anywhere.

7. Mick still has a chance…but sorry, Mick who? Yawwwn. If I wanted to watch a robot surfing, I’d just watch this.

8. He’s a graceful loser. Promoting sportsmanship is healthy for the sport and Medina does this well. No water slapping, no board smashing and no whiny social media posts. Yes, he gets upset when he loses, but that’s just an indicator of how much he wants to win.

9. We all know Brazil as a soccer nation.  A Brazilian world surfing champion would be a great way to encourage alternative sports.

10. Finally, we need a fresh face to win the tour. Someone with a progressive style needs to hold up the trophy, and Gabriel Medina is THAT. Surfing has evolved in the last decade, and no one has stayed on top of that evolution better than Medina. The sport is no longer just about powerful carves and barrel riding – although that’s still important – but it’s about variety of repertoire. Medina has power, speed, great barrel riding skills, and more tricks in his pocket than anyone else one tour. And he’s got the heat smarts to know just when to use them.

Read more from Kathryn on her blog.

 
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