Gabriel Medina backs fellow Brazilian Felipe Toledo to compete at Olympics

Toledo, the reigning WSL champion, is on an one-year sabbatical from the tour to focus on their mental health but is one of six Brazilians qualified for the Olympic Games in July.

“I think he will surf, I spoke with him a lot and he took some time off the tour but he will be at the Olympics,” Medina said of Toledo.

Medina, who is in Australia to contest this week’s Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, booked his place at the Olympic Games earlier in March, his win at the ISA World Surfing Games in Puerto Rico earning Brazil another qualification spot.

“It feels amazing, I got the last spot in the Olympics which is radical,” the three-time WSL champion said.

“I went through a lot of stuff, I lost some important events and I was kind of down but I had the last chance to qualify and represent my country and I did it.

“It’s my favourite wave, I love Teahupo’o. The best is going to be there, it’s going to be fun.”

Medina said the prospect of working as team Brazil was an exciting one, with country rivalries a “good thing for the sport”.

“We don’t have that in surfing much, it’s really individual,” he said.

“I loved the experience we just went through in Puerto Rico and it worked.

“I’ll be there (at the Olympics) to help my friends from my country and hopefully we can get a great result.

“I’m excited, I just want to enjoy my time with them, I feel like this what life is about, enjoy your time with others.”

For now, Medina’s immediate focus is his own performance at Bells Beach, with the Rip Curl Pro kicking off on Tuesday.

Though his last three tour wins have come in Australia, victory at the prestigious event is one that eludes the Rip Curl sponsored surfer, his best finish at the break a third back in 2018.

“I’m focused on myself, I want to perform good here,” Medina said.

“I’ve done what I could, trained, surfed, my mind is on set.

“These waves are a special one because I really want to do well.

“I feel like it’s a special event for Rip Curl, there is so much history... I’m looking forward to it.”

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Medina arrives in Australia off the back of his best result of the season — third at Rip Curl Pro Portugal.

“I feel amazing, I say as long as there is waves, I’m in a good vibe,” he said.

“I’ve been enjoying my time here, I love being in Australia. I spend a lot of time here, it’s a place I like to be.”

Originally published as Gabriel Medina backs fellow Brazilian Felipe Toledo to compete at Olympics