Stephanie Gilmore tries to win the seventh world title with emotion

Update

November 27, 2018 18:06:10

Steph Gilmore is used to seeing the world.

Her seventh world title, earned this week in Hawaii, brings her fellow countrywoman Layne Beachley to the list of best surfers of all time.

But she also knows what the world means to her.

And at the age of 22, when she was the victim of a nauseating attack that left her with physical and mental scars.

His last victory is all the more extraordinary because his career path has not been so long.

Gilmore won her first world title in 2007 as a 19-year-old rookie (she was still in school when she entered and won her very first tour two years ago).

She has won the next three world titles and overplayed in a league of her own, wondering if she could remain world champion all her career.

Then, just after Christmas 2010, as he was returning home to his Tweed Heads apartment, a homeless man badaulted him with a metal bar for a senseless act of violence.

She was hit in the head and ruptured wrist ligaments while protecting herself from repeated blows.

His abuser – a schizophrenic whose condition was aggravated by the abuse of alcohol and drugs – was sentenced to four years in prison.

Gilmore endured sleepless nights and flashbacks. His careless mind for a time diminished.

To be told that she could not surf for the next two months was a double blow. This temporarily robbed him of his pbadion and his job, but also a possible source of healing.

On the ocean, she has always found peace. But she was unable to go there at a time when she needed this peace the most.

The return to the top

An injury and a naturally shaken confidence put an end to his dominance in the waves on his return.

His candidacy for five consecutive world titles was effectively over.

"It took him a few years [to fully recover], "remembers her mother Tracy.

"When she went back into the water for the first time, we were looking at her and she fell in. She really came out holding her arm …" she said, "every time I fall, the pain lifts me up. arm "and it took a lot longer to overcome the physique.

"Even more time to overcome the mind, because when your safety is compromised, you keep looking over your shoulder."

Remarkably, just two years after the attack, Gilmore was again world champion.

By delving deeply into her reserves of mental and physical strength, she then won the world titles in 2012 and 2014.

The steel behind the smile

The challenges, however, have not been relaxed. The latest is Australian Tyler Wright, deserved champion in 2016 and 2017.

Once again, one wondered if the surfer nicknamed "Happy Gilmore" always wanted to be the best of the sport. Re-win against the competition of a new group of younger surfers.

She never doubted herself.

Those who took it simply confused his casual nature with the lack of steel which his titles should have let know that they were still present.

"I've always wanted that, I know I'm sometimes relaxed, I have so much joy when I do it," she said Tuesday.

"I just like running down the cliff and smiling at everyone, then going out and taking a fierce face and trying to be a fierce competitor.

"To be able to balance both, I really appreciate them and that's something I love to do my whole career."

An effortless grace in the waves

Gilmore was quick to pay tribute to Beachley for being a pioneer in women's surfing.

"It's an honor to be sitting next to you Layne, you've been a great inspiration for all of my career and for so many surfer girls around the world, so it's great to match you," he said. Gilmore.

"What an honor, thank you very much, thank you for setting the standard."

The feeling of admiration is reciprocal.

"As a surfer, she is beautiful and graceful and it looks effortless," Beachley told ABC.

"As a competitor, she is extremely focused and determined, and I often refer to her as a smiling badbadin.

"Steph is a great model, she is a great ambbadador for the sport and a person so beautiful internally and externally, so I am incredibly excited for her.

"It brings me back to the amount of work, dedication, and commitment that every athlete needs to win seven world titles."

Gilmore clinched the world title when his only opponent, American Lakey Peterson, sided with Hawaiian Alana Blanchard in the second round of the Maui Pro.

Looking at the warmth of the cliff, Gilmore raised her arms and wiped her tears when she realized the world title was hers.

"I will never forget to be a girl and surf all day, that's all I could think of," she said.

"It's always my first love, it brings me so much joy and challenges me, that's all.

"To come here today and be able to do it, oh my god [it’s] so, so special.

"Surf is the best, it really is."

At 30, Gilmore is one of the veterans of the tour, but also has time to win an eighth world title, making her the most successful surfer in Australia, woman or man, in terms of wins on the elite tour.

The American Kelly Slater (11 world titles), the record holder of all time, is still on the circuit at the age of 46 years. Is his record in danger of the Australian champion?

"I hate this issue," she says, displaying a broad smile that suggests that it is nevertheless a topic she's considering.

"I'm just gunna going around the table with seven … but it's so, so cool."

Topics:

surfing,

Other sports,

sport,

United States

First posted

November 27, 2018 18:00:30