Gabriel Medina may have touched down at the airport in São Paulo on Saturday (on his birthday, no less), fresh off his second world title win at Pipe, but his feet haven’t touched the ground yet.
As he was courted through the hallways of the international arrivals terminal, he emerged from the sliding doors to a throng of fans eager to welcome him home.
According to a WSL press release, he later commemorated his victory at a private party with friends, family, and celebrities including Neymar Junior – the two are buds, apparently.
Then, on Sunday Medina returned to his hometown of Maresias to participate in a parade atop a firetruck while a sea of adoring fans screamed and waved below.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming out, for cheering me on…I’m really at a loss for words, but it feels incredible to be welcomed home like this,” he said. “I’m just a kid from Maresias that had big dreams. I’ve worked really hard to achieve my goals and I’m grateful to be living my dream. I have so much gratitude and am thankful to all of you and to each message I received. I have so much love for Maresias and it’s an honor to represent the city and Brazil all over the world.”
He went on to talk about his hometown where after his first world title he constructed the Gabriel Medina Institute to nurture the nation’s surfing talent.
“This is where I’ve always lived. I spend the entire year traveling to contests, but this is where I always return to. It’s where everything started, where I have my friends and family. It’s where I train and surf every day. I remember surfing right in front of this square my entire childhood. Being here and being welcomed like this is so special. It’s a feeling I will never forget.”
In a Saturday press conference, Medina dished on his goals in the year ahead.
“This year was extremely important and my goal was to win my second world title. 2019 is going to be just as important. It’s going to be the year we get the chance to qualify for the Olympics in 2020 and my objective since the start of my career is to become a 3-time World Champion. But now it’s time to relax (laughs). I’m thrilled to be home and to be welcomed in Brazil with so much love. It’s been priceless and now I’m going to go have some fun because soon the whole process will be starting over,” he said.
