On a remote reef located 16,000km from Paris, surfer Gabriel Medina has delivered one of the most unforgettable moments of the Olympics, performing an aerial celebration that seemed almost too remarkable to be real.
The Brazilian champion rode a massive wave at Teahupo’o in Tahiti on Monday, executing a flawless takeoff from a barreling section before launching into the air, appearing to land on a cloud, all while pointing skyward with serene confidence—his board echoing his every motion.
This striking photograph was captured by Agence France-Presse photographer Jérôme Brouillet, who remarked, “the conditions were ideal, and the waves were larger than anticipated.” He took the shot from a nearby boat, seizing the moment with precision that led some to initially suspect it was digitally altered.
“I couldn’t see him at first, and just when I thought he was out of the wave, he popped up, so I snapped four pictures and one of them turned out like this,” shared Brouillet.
“Capturing the image wasn’t difficult. It was more about anticipating when Gabriel would launch off the wave.”
Photo by professional photographer Jérôme Brouillet. Photograph: Jérôme Brouillet
Brouillet’s expertise played a significant role—he anticipated a standout wave and was aware of Medina’s tendency to celebrate with similar moves after his rides.
Once the images were sent to his editors, the immediate reaction was overwhelming. Brouillet described feeling “a bit shocked” when he began receiving numerous notifications on social media, realizing that the shot was garnering massive attention, including being featured on ESPN. “I thought, ‘cool’.”
“It’s fantastic; it’s a great shot and many people love it. It’s not your typical surf photograph, which helps attract a wider audience.”
Medina, a three-time world champion, sought a perfect wave score of 10 as he ascended but was awarded a 9.9, marking the highest score of the Olympics to date. He later expressed his gratitude in an Instagram post, quoting Philippians 4:13: “I can do everything through Him who strengthens me.”
For photographers, the allure lay in the misleading nature of the image. It appears as though Medina is standing on solid ground, with his leg rope curiously horizontal and his board perfectly aligned with his stance.
Additionally, Brouillet received praise for his impeccable timing, which required a quick shutter speed to capture a clear shot in turbulent ocean conditions while on a moving boat.
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While Brouillet enjoyed the acclaim of the remarkable shot, he believes its continuing significance remains to be seen.
“I captured the shot of the day, surrounded by six talented photographers on the boat, but I’m sure it will be forgotten next week. Tomorrow will be just another day.”
At the time the wave broke, Medina was competing in round three, easily defeating Kanoa Igarashi with a combined two-wave score of 17.40 out of 20, avenging his loss to the Japanese surfer in the Tokyo Games of 2021. Medina is set to face fellow Brazilian Joao Chianco in the quarter-finals.
This stunning image will undoubtedly elevate the profile of surfing at the Olympics, which features the sport for only the second time, following its debut in 2021.
