Triple world champion surfing superstar Mick Fanning was famously attacked by a shark in the middle of competition at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa in 2015. Spectators watched on as the Australian fought off the three-meter shark with a punch to the back on live television.
The highly praised event officials launched into swift action and were there in moments to dramatically pull the man to the safety of a jet ski. An effectively coordinated support network that prevented what could have been a devasting outcome and which readily recognized and applauded the fearlessness of the surfer.
“We are incredibly grateful that no one was seriously injured today. Mick’s composure and quick acting in the face of a terrifying situation was nothing short of heroic.”
The safety of our athletes is a priority for the WSL [World Surf League] and, after discussions with both finalists, we have decided to cancel the remainder of competition at the J-Bay Open.”
The reaction of the man Fanning was competing against, fellow Australian Julian Watson was also extraordinary. The pair were locked in battle for the world title, but competition took second place in the face of what could have been a terrible tragedy. Watson fought back tears as he described the urgency that he felt in getting to Fanning quickly enough to help.
“It came up and he was wrestling it, and I saw he got knocked off his board,” Wilson said. “I was like, ‘I’ve got a board, if I can get there I can stab it or whatever, I’ve got a weapon.’ “
The added example of sportsmanship was the officials’ decision that on the cancellation of the event, the prize money should be divided evenly between the pair.
Touching pictures of the emotional post-incident embrace between the two Aussies proliferated online and print media the world over and proved evidence of the priority of humanity over victory.
Society has instilled in people a natural competitiveness, an innate sense of achievement – of bettering others. This culture of competition that has been fostered is not a bad thing and drives us to improve ourselves, but there needs to be room for the acquisition of collaborative skills, and these should be instilled in us when we are young; sport is the ultimate vehicle to learn this delicate dichotomy of competition and cooperation.
No one would deny the importance of competition in sport, winning the prize is the ultimate goal, but stories such as this outline that the measure of success is more than who holds the trophy after the ‘whistle has been blown’, it’s knowing when to stand with someone instead of against them.
Mick Fanning reveals ongoing fallout from 2015 Jeffreys Bay shark attack | 7NEWS.com.au
Shark attacks Australian surfer Mick Fanning during live competition (smh.com.au)