Different Dog, Same Fleas
The greatest rivals of the modern day surf era get matching MCL tears.
3x World Champion Gabriel Medina will not be surfing JBay.
In his round 2 elimination heat against Callum Robson, Gabriel surfed way down the beach, fell on 6/6 air attempts (fairly basic rotations for someone of the calibre of Medina), and it seemed like something was wrong. Gabs went straight to the medical quarters after his loss, so something was definitely wrong.
Despite stoically not pulling ouchy-face, subsequent MRIs revealed it is a grade 2 or 3 ligament tear, the same injury John sustained in Grajagan and on same leg. According to the WSL, “Medina underwent an MRI on both knees, and a grade 2 to 3 injury of the MCL of the left knee was diagnosed. Medina will return for medical evaluation in two weeks for a more accurate prognosis. In this scenario, Gabriel Medina will be out of the JBay event, in South Africa.” He is also now mathematically out of contention for a WSL Final’s Day finish.
Gabs wrote the following on IG:
“This afternoon I had an MRI taken on both my knees and the results showed an injury on my left knee. The recovery time will be between 4 and 6 weeks. Due to this unfortunate event I will be out of JBay. Next week I will start physiotherapy and I’m confident I will be back even stronger. Thanks all of you for the unconditional support.”
The J Bay event runs from the 12th – 21st July. How many world titles amiss?
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