Team USA is gearing up to take on the mighty challenge! With ace surfers, including the current world rank #1 John John Florence in their lineup, the Americans are looking in great shape for a podium finish at the Paris Olympics. And with the recent glimpse into their preparation, their agenda seems set. They ‘want’ to make their second-ever surfing appearance at this illustrious meet one to remember!

Especially Florence, whose Tokyo Olympics run ended up in a heartbreak, for he was edged out in the final 16. But a little sneak tells us that he is looking at the top of his game at 13 days away from D-day. Well, it seems the 31-year-old is looking to redeem himself this time, with some classic Ronaldo-style swag!

John John Florence has a CR7 move up his sleeve

Coming off a silver finish at the Lexus Pipe Pro, Florence has now locked down his next target- an Olympic medal. Well, he is certainly not the one for all talk and no work. In one of his recent Instagram posts, the Hawaiian is seen preparing hard for the mega battle. Training for Team USA in the video, he confidently catches onto a giant wave. The massive swell makes him disappear from the camera for a few seconds until he re-emerges with a heroic leap. “See you soon Tahiti,” his caption further echoes his readiness for the big stage.

As Florence’s surfboard lands back on the water after a slight lift, the visual looks quite familiar. His hands go up in the air, nearly touching each other, and come down in speed as they move apart. Complemented with the landing, it looks like a recreation of Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature celebration. Well, it did have an identical impact. Not a stadium full of boisterous cheers but amidst overlapping whistles and claps, a spectator viewing Florence shouted with zing, “Go Johny boy!” as he nailed the surfing stunt.

It’s commendable how Florence makes the harshest conditions and the most intricate surfing moves look so seamless! More so, the video is a sign of the Hawaiian being in top-notch form ahead of the Games. But personally, John John Florence has chosen not to be bulldozed under pressure this time. He recently admitted, “I don’t really add too much pressure to myself with the Olympics.” Going in with an unfazed mindset, he deems it as, “It’s just, to me, an opportunity to get the icing on top of the cake, really.”

Whilst the subjective goals are indeed different, the competitive energy right now in the Team USA tent is just contagious. Let’s not forget that the side also houses world rank number 2, Griffin Colapinto. And how’s the grind looking like for the Californian dynamo? Well, it seems on fleek!

Joining Florence, Colapinto steps into the training waters

With the U.S. Anthem playing in the background, Colapinto recently added a post from his day at the first Olympics training session. PS: With his dramatic surf skills at display and the musical touch, the post might give you goosebumps! The waves he practices on look a few feet tall and powerful, yet Colapinto’s prowess makes it look like one long effortless glide. He does fall from his surfboard once in the video, but in the end, prevails.

Beyond the external bits, we also have insider details about Colapinto’s holistic preparation. Speaking to EssentiallySports in an Exclusive interview, he confesses how he’s going into the Olympic ride with no extreme changes, just the basics. He said, “Well, my training hasn’t really changed much. I’ve been doing this for a while now. And every day, I do my best to be the best person I can be and stay disciplined with my routines of meditating, doing Pilates, activities, writing in my journal, surfing a lot, and just keeping an overall good balance of life, keeping a good healthy mindset.”

Evidently, the surfers are unleashing their A-games. Do you think Team USA can return with multiple surfing distinctions from Paris? Let us know.