One of the standout moments of the Paris Olympics so far is a stunning photo of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina, taken during the men’s surfing event in Tahiti. Medina, a favorite for the medal, scored a record-breaking 9.90 in the third round and performed a gravity-defying move that was perfectly captured by AFP photographer Jerome Brouillet. This photo has been lauded as the best of the Olympics by various media outlets.
The men’s surfing competition at Teahupo’o, known for its huge waves and scenic beauty, saw Medina executing a flawless move, propelling him into the quarterfinals. As he emerged from the wave, Medina leapt into the air, making a number one gesture with his surfboard standing upright beside him. This image quickly went viral.
Brouillet, a surfing enthusiast and AFP photographer, was in a boat with other photographers when he took the shot. “The waves were bigger than we thought, and suddenly Medina was there. I pressed the shutter four times, and this was one of them,” he recounted. Despite the photo’s global acclaim and some doubting its authenticity, Brouillet humbly noted, “Capturing such a photo is just about timing. It’s a great shot, but I’m sure it will be forgotten soon.”
Morgan Maassen, a photographer for the Paris Olympics, also captured this epic moment from other angles, praising Medina’s skill and calling the photo “a creation of Medina and Mother Earth.”
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