The Brazilian surfer, three-time world surfing champion, announces his return at the G-Land stop of the World Surf League, stating that he feels "100%"

The biggest absence from the 2022 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) was that of the current – ​​and three-time – world surfing champion, Gabriel Medina. "Was," in the past tense, because the Brazilian surfer has announced his return to competition for the circuit's opening event in G-Land, Indonesia, after having had enough time to work on his mental health.

It was at the end of January when Medina announced via social media that she would be taking a break from competition to focus on her mental health, "one of the hardest decisions" of her life. And after explaining the emotional rollercoaster she experienced in 2021 both in and out of the water, she concluded that "mental health is very important; I need to be 100% mentally ready to return to competition. I will come back stronger."

Hours after their indefinite break, Brazilian media—and later confirmed via social media—reported that Gabriel Medina and model and actress Yasmin Brunet had officially announced the end of their relationship . Not only that, the Brazilian surfer put their beachfront mansion, valued at over one million euros, up for sale . This was followed by several positive and upbeat Instagram posts, as well as a minor surgical procedure on his septum to improve his breathing.

Three months later, Gabriel Medina himself, in statements to a Brazilian media outlet, explained that he will return to competition: "I've learned a lot during this time away from competition and I feel 100%, that's why I'm announcing my return." It will be at the G-Land event at the end of May : "I'm back to my athlete's routine, I get up early, I eat well. Everything is back to normal. I'm going to Indonesia, to the new G-Land event, which is extra motivation." This announcement has been ratified by the WSL: "Gabriel Medina will officially be the guest for all remaining competitions, starting with the Quiksilver Pro G-Land, with the possibility of qualifying for the finals; and securing his spot on the 2023 CT."

Here's a video made by Rip Curl about Gabriel Medina's return to the CT