At the 2024 Olympics, Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina achieved a historic feat by scoring the highest score in men's surfing in Tahiti - 9.90 out of 10 - to reach the quarter-finals. At that moment, AFP photographer Jerome Brouillette captured Medina hovering above the water, pointing his finger upward.

The photo instantly went viral, symbolizing his unique style and incredible skills.

Medina, a three-time world champion, is known by many nicknames, one of which - "The Phenomenon" - perfectly describes this photo. At the Tokyo Olympics, he took fourth place, but at these games his skills once again amazed the world.

It is worth noting that surfing is one of the most dangerous Olympic sports. At the Paris Games, Australian Jack Robinson and American John Florence were on the verge of death, and their salvation required the intervention of lifeguards. However, such risks only highlight the courage and skill of athletes like Gabriel Medina, who, despite all the laws of physics, continues to amaze the world.

Anastasia Chupina