Mick Fanning, who survived a shark attack in South Africa in July, was denied an emotional fourth world surfing crown Thursday after he decided to keep competing at the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii despite learning of the death of his brother the day before.
Before entering the water for competition, Fanning was told his 43-year-old brother, Peter, had died back in his native Australia.
“I’ve just got some personal stuff going on at home and it’s sort of heavy to talk about right now, but I don’t know, I’m just sort of cruising, and just trying to live,” the 34-year-old Fanning said early in the day. He won his next two heats to reach the quarterfinals, where he defeated 11-time world champion Kelly Slater.
But Fanning dropped to second in the standings after losing in the semis, a result that handed the title to Adriano de Souza of Brazil.
No cause of death was given for Peter Fanning, who reportedly died in his sleep. Another brother, Sean, was killed in a car accident in 1998.
Later, Fanning posted on Instagram a childhood school photo of him and his three brothers, saying he and Peter had recently seen each other.
“He told me how proud he was of me and how much he loves watching me compete,” Mick Fanning said in his post. “Today was one of the most challenging days of my life, but I knew I could find the strength to take part in the final event of the season because that’s what Pete would want.”
A YouTube video of Fanning punching and fighting off a shark while competing at the J-Bay Open at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, has been viewed more than 22 million times.
De Souza lauded Fanning for his bravery in continuing to compete.
“When the shark almost bit Mick, I’m so happy to see him alive and be with us,” De Souza said, according to Agence France-Presse. “For one part of the year, he was the most deserved to win this title. To be with him in a world title race, it was a pleasure. He is a true champion. He is the most stronger man I have ever met.”