Similar to athletes in every other sport, the world’s best surfers are preparing for the final stretch of the Paris Olympics. The ongoing Tahiti Pro holds even greater significance this year, as the pristine beaches of Teahupo’o are set to host the Olympic surfing competitions. In a dramatic turn of events, John John Florence’s quest for Olympic gold at the Paris Olympics suffered a significant setback. The American surfer’s momentum was curtailed during a crucial moment in the Tahiti season, highlighting the importance of the Teahupo’o surf battle. 

Though the Vans Triple Crown champion fell short by just 0.54 points and did not win gold or the Pros title, Florence seems content to just ride the wave. He was so happy with his post-barrel that he was seen celebrating twice on the water. In an amazing display of sportsmanship, the surfer congratulated the Brazilian surfer who came out on top. Florence just had three savage words to say to him.

John John Florence congratulates rival with grace despite narrow loss

Recently, surfer John John Florence reposted a post on Instagram by Brazilian surfer Italo Ferreira. Florence captioned it “I was stoke-d!” The two surfers were seen embracing after the Tahiti Pros and Ferreira also acknowledged the dynamic between the two, saying “That was a special heat”. It has been a long time since Italo Ferreira last came out on top, four long years since his win in 2019 at the WSL Championship tour event. However, he was able to However in Teahupo’o, he beat Hawaiian native John John Florence. During the thrilling climax, he mastered the incredible 10-foot tubes and put himself back on top. 

Ferreira expressed his joy saying, “I’ve really been waiting for this moment. I’ve won in different types of waves, but not barrels”. He was in the 16th rank when he joined the Tahiti Pros, but was able to vault to 5th with 3 events remaining. The final days were grueling under the tropical heat. Especially for John John Florence and Ferreira who went neck to neck four times, tackling enormous waves. Florence had a good momentum going as he surfed against wildcard Mihimana Braye and Indonesian Rio Waida. 

However, at the finals, he was exhausted after a slugging battle against a well-rested Gabriel Medina. He became an easy target for Ferreira after that. Ferreira earned a quick 8.93 and 8.77 back-to-back, in virtually identical deep and perfectly threaded tubes. But Florence needed a 17.70 in the last half hour. Though he got an impeccable 9.33 in the last 5 minutes, he fell short to Ferreira and earned 17.16 points. The surfing match was exhilarating for its onlookers. Especially in an Olympic year where the Tahiti Pros are a litmus test to qualify for the Paris team. 

Harkening back to Florence’s Olympic aspirations and performance expectations

John John Florence has had a long illustrious career in surfing. Though he took a hit at Tahiti Pros, he was still one of the two best surfers on the WSL Championship tour and nearly got a 10 in his last heat. Throughout the years, he has cemented his status as one of the most formidable surfers. He won the prestigious Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitation in 2016, earning $75,000 in prize money. Additionally, he won the Vans Triple Crown in 2022 with $66,500 and the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach event in 2023, with $13,500. Going forward, he has provisionally qualified for the Olympic Games through the WSL Championship Tour.

He is concentrating on a tailored routine to get his body ready for the competitions. As he stated in an interview with Sports Illustrated, the key to winning is staying in the game. Florence’s statement underscores the symbiotic relationship between competing on the world tour and preparing for the Olympics. He said, “I think doing the tour and the Olympics complement each other in a way”.

By constantly engaging in heats and staying in the competitive groove, Florence believes he can better prepare himself for the unique challenges of Olympic competition. As he stated, “I think the tour complements the Olympics because you’re just in that competitive mindset. Once you’re in it and you get comfortable surfing heats again, it’s hard when you take a month or two away from surfing heats and you kinda get back into it.” Despite encountering a setback at the Tahiti Pros, Florence is fully prepared and determined to make a comeback at the Paris Olympics.