A stunning surfing showdown recently took place on the pristine shores of Teahupoʻo during the 2023 Shiseido Tahiti Pro competition. The event unfurled in dramatic fashion, culminating in a spectacle that left enthusiasts spellbound. In a thrilling battle, Australian surfing sensation, Jack Robinson left fans in awe as he secured a spot in the Final 5 at the upcoming Rip Curl WSL Finals.

The competition at the Tahiti Pro was a dramatic clash between the 25-year-old Robinson and Brazilian powerhouse Gabriel Medina, which ignited a frenzy among fans worldwide. Robinson’s road to victory was marked by highs and lows that ultimately culminated in a triumphant win. This, however, left the surfing community divided as a debate erupted online.

How Jack Robinson advanced to the Rip Curl WSL Finals

At the Shiseido Tahiti Pro, Jack Robinson and Gabriel Medina, both standouts throughout the event, seemed destined to meet in the finals. Leonardo Fioravanti from Italy, John John Florence from Hawaii, and Yago Dora from Brazil were eliminated in the earlier rounds which left Robinson and Medina as the last contenders standing. Medina took an early lead with a 15.00 point heat total, thanks to his busy start and multiple waves. Robinson, on the other hand, opted for a more patient approach, waiting for the right waves. His strategy paid off when he rode long, hollow tube waves, earning two 7.83 scores. This slim lead gave him a combined score of 15.66 and managed to propel him to victory. Robinson’s path to the glorious win was not easy, as he faced many bumps along the way.

Overcoming injuries during the season, he was ranked 8th at the event. He needed a win to secure his spot in the WSL Final 5, and he achieved just that by defeating fellow contenders Leonardo Fioravanti and Yago Dora. Gabriel Medina, despite his impressive performance throughout the event, finished second in the final and remained in 6th place on the rankings to fans’ disappointment. The World Surf League (WSL) took to Instagram to make a monumental announcement. The organization shared an image featuring Jack Robinson, captioned, “It’s official. Jack Robinson has clinched a spot in the #WSLFinal5. See you at Trestles for the #RipCurlWSLFinals!” This announcement further sparked debates surrounding Robinson’s achievement as anticipation for the upcoming Rip Curl WSL Finals builds.

The surfing community was left divided after his win

Amidst the fervent reactions following Jack Robinson’s sensational triumph, a spectrum of opinions emerged. One observer weighed in, asserting, “Medina’s 8.17 was a huge wave, really better than Jack.” On a different note, a commenter expressed their perspective, stating, “You guys can’t stand 3 Brazilians at the finals… doesn’t matter cause we will win again and bring one more title home,” accompanied by two yawning emojis. Anticipating the finals, another enthusiast confidently predicted, “Without Gabe and JJF, no one can stop F. Toledo in those final 2 heats in Trestles.” Amid the diverse reactions, an outpouring of positive sentiments echoed, too.

A proud supporter exclaimed, “What a legend!! Would be number one if he hadn’t been injured. Congrats Jack. Making us Aussies proud!” Overflowing with excitement, another admirer shared, “Congratulations Jack!!!! What a beautiful year for you and the gang; keep the magic rolling, bradda.” Additionally, a dedicated Brazilian fan acknowledged Jack’s achievement, stating, “As a Brazilian, I can say Jack was better than Gabe… Medina just made a mistake with the priority, and that type of mistake was all Jack needed… Congrats for taking the opportunity and not letting it slip… He did it, awesome and precise asf! Jack Robinson.” The range of reactions reflects the passion and diversity of the surfing community, with Robinson’s victory igniting both spirited debates and heartfelt praises.

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The WSL Final 5 Men lineup is set: Filipe Toledo, Griffin Colapinto, Ethan Ewing, Joao Chianca, and Jack Robinson. Fans now brace themselves for the epic showdown at Rip Curl WSL Finals, Sep 8-16 on the shores of Lower Trestles.

Watch this story: Top 5 Biggest Surfing Wipeouts You Won’t Forget!