Brazilian surfer Joao Chianca is ready to make a splash at next month's Paris Olympics 🌊 after an incredible comeback from a life-threatening injury. The 23-year-old, known as 'Chumbinho', is set to ride the legendary waves of Tahiti's Teahupo'o, and we couldn't be more stoked! 🏄‍♂️
Chianca had a phenomenal season in 2023, just a year after making his championship debut. He snagged his first World Tour victory in Peniche, Portugal, and secured four top-five finishes, landing him a spot in the World Surf League (WSL) Finals in September.
\"I was happy to have an excellent year, to start a very good year for my career, where I had my first World Tour victory,\" Chianca told Reuters. \"I had my first lead on the World Tour and until the middle of the year, it was really tough.\"
Competing alongside fellow Brazilian surf star Filipe Toledo, who became world champion, Chianca finished fourth in the rankings and was the second-best Brazilian surfer. \"So I think it was a very good ranking and I'm proud of it,\" he said.
But it hasn't been all smooth sailing. In early December, while training at The Pipeline on Oahu's North Shore, Hawaii, Chianca suffered a severe wipeout 🤕. He was knocked unconscious and remained underwater for several minutes before being rescued and rushed to the hospital.
He spent two weeks under observation after hitting his head on the reef, suffering a fracture, contusion, and bleeding on his brain. The road to recovery was tough, but Chianca proved he's got the grit and determination to bounce back.
Just six months later, he made an impressive comeback at the Surf City El Salvador Pro, defeating world number two Griffin Colapinto in the Round of 16. Though he eventually fell to three-time world champion Gabriel Medina, Chianca secured a commendable fifth-place finish.
\"I'm getting very close to my Olympic dream, and I realize that this battle against this injury is almost over,\" Chianca said. \"I'm almost really winning, and there's nothing like the day by day. I keep going, I keep doing what I can to keep going.\"
Chianca is no stranger to the waves of Teahupo'o 🌺. \"The Olympic wave, where it's going to take place, is a marvelous place, a wonderful energy,\" he shared. \"I have a very good relationship with the wave from my free surfing trips there. It's a place I like a lot, it's a place where I have the focus and the goal of doing well in an event there.\"
\"Now I'm getting a golden opportunity to take part in the biggest sporting event on this wave,\" he added. \"Physically, psychologically, mentally. Whatever you want to put on me, I'm ready.\"
We can't wait to see Chianca ride those epic waves at Teahupo'o! 🌊🔥 Let's cheer him on as he represents Brazil on the world's biggest stage. Vai, Chumbinho! 🇧🇷👏
Reference(s):
Brazil's surfer Chianca ready for Paris after recovering from injury
cgtn.com
