Gabriel Medina, the three time WSL world champion and star of that epic photo every surfing fan must have seen by now-where Medina, at last year’s Paris Olympics stood up above the water in perfect synchronicity with his surfboard, a moment captured forever by photographer Jérôme Brouillet and immortalized in the world of surfing–has not had the best follow up year. That’s right, while 2024 saw Medina winning a Bronze medal in the Olympic games, as well as bagging the highest wave score in the same competition, 2025 hasn’t been as kind to this 3 time world champion, with him starting the year off with an injury.

What Injury Did Gabriel Medina Suffer?

In January of 2025, Gabriel Medina was training off the coast of São Paolo, in Maresias, São Sebastião, to be specific, when he tried out a mid-air manoeuvre that backfired. According to reports, he lost his balance during the manoeuvre, tried to shift his weight onto his hand, but the strain tore through his chest. 

Ultimately, Media had to have emergency surgery for a torn pectoral muscle in his left shoulder. He was taken to surgery less than a few hours after the injury occurred, where the Olympian’s shoulder was operated on by Dr. Breno Schor at the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo .

Why Gabriel Medina Declined a Wildcard for Tahiti Pro

Though Gabriel Media had earlier wanted to compete in Tahiti Pro, the event that is scheduled for August 16th and part of the WSL Championship Tour, he was denied a spot, because both WSL wildcards had already been reserved. One went to Olympic gold medalist Kauli Vaast and the other to the trials event winner, Mihimana Braye. Medina at the time said he would not accept a last-minute invite.

So, later, when Alejo Muniz pulled out of the tournament on account of a shoulder injury and the WSL offered Medina a spot through an injury wildcard, the three-time world champion declined citing “previously scheduled commitments” as per the WSL’s press release. The WSL, who reached out to Medina’s representative to enquire about his August commitments were compelled to give the injury wildcard spot to Tahitian Teiva Tairoa, the runner-up in the July 20 trial event.

What Did Gabriel Medina Say About His Injury?

Though it seems clear that Medina’s stance on the injury wildcard invitation to Tahiti Pro was more moral stance than a cover-up for injury, Medina participating in the competition would have been tight considering after his January surgery, doctors gave him 4-6 months for recovery and a minimum of 6-8 months to compete again.

And, at the time of the surgery, it didn’t seem like Medina was rushing to get back into things. “Everything went well and we are already looking at the recovery period and next steps,” Medina shared with his fans via his Instagram page. “I was preparing and very focused for the 2025 season, but unfortunately I will be out for a while. I will now focus on my recovery to come back stronger!” So, at the get go Medina was clearly planning on sitting out the season.

Is Gabriel Medina Competing at the 2025 US Open of Surfing?

The world’s largest surfing competition, i.e., the 2025 US Open of Surfing will probably not see Medina this year. There is no official listing of the champion, despite his seeming recovery after his January injury.

Further, based on everything Medina has said so far, vis-a-vis scheduling conflicts, it doesn’t look like this was what was on his schedule.

Will Gabriel Medina Miss the Entire 2025 Season?

Having pulled out of some major surfing events such as the Hawaii Pipeline in January and early February, then the World Surf League in Abu Dhabi and the Rip Curl Pro Portugal events that began in March, it looks like Medina will, in fact, miss the whole 2025 season.

Had the WSL granted him those early Wildcards for the Tahiti Pro, then perhaps he would have had the time and preparation to train and ready himself for the same, but like many fans have pointed out, offering a three time world champ, who, at 31, is trying to make his comeback after a serious injury a last minute injury wildcard, is more than a little bit disrespectful.

Perhaps Medina will be back in full form next year, but athletes are already running against time, and missing an entire year at 31 is not the best place to be for any reigning champion, especially in addition to his recent MCL injury in 2022.