Ranked as the World’s No. 1 women’s surfer, after her win at Rio Pro, this Australian professional surfer has lately qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024. The qualification took place on the 3rd of March 2024, when the Pro Surfer achieved her ISA World Surfing Games’ gold once again. Having won the same individual gold medals at the ISA World Surfing Games back in the years 2008, 2011, and 2021, this year- 2024, has been her fourth to attain the gold.

However, even after putting such hard work into the game and also qualifying for her most spirits in awaited  Olympic Games, she narrowly missed out on her 2024 Olympic spot. Wonder why, when, and how the Champion surfer was denied her Paris Olympics 2024 mark, despite winning an Olympic qualifier event?

Complex dynamics denies Paris Olympics 2024 qualification

The official Instagram page of the Olympics and the Australian Pro Surfer display how emotionally enthusiastic Sally Fitzgibbons was when she received her fourth gold at the ISA World Surfing Games. The 33-year-old, fighting through seven heats, defeated the Brazilian defending champion, Tatiana Weston-Webb by 0.86 points. However, even after grabbing a gold here and having an ’emotional win’ as the clip pointed out, Fitzgibbons could not qualify for the Olympics for the lack of team win.

Australia’s Tyler Wright and Molly Picklum have already earned two spots for the country at the Summer Olympics through world rankings and the third spot could only be confirmed if Australia as a team could win the event. But as fate had its way, though Sally Fitzgibbons won the ISA World Surfing Games in Tahiti, the Irukandjis could not. The Irukandjis finished second to Brazil, which clinched the overall team win. Notably, despite the loss, Sally Fitzgibbons is not demotivated.

Unfortunate loss, but still full of confidence

Despite of all the disappointment after her major loss of the Olympic spot, Sally Fitzgibbons does not deny that she still was pleased to represent Australia. “I just have an immense amount of pride thinking about the people I’m representing back home and everyone that’s put into my journey and my career,” she said. The crowd shouting her name or plainly saying “Aussie Aussie Aussie”, does keep her going.

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Expressing her high emotions of adrenaline rush, Sally Fitzgibbons talked about the feeling she experienced while standing at the top of the podium. “That emotion wells up, the tears come out, and it’s just that childhood dream you’re living out,” she reveals. Leaving the city that gifted her a qualification with high spirits, the Pro Surfer is proud to leave with a gold medal.

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