adminSYDNEY. – Australian surf champion Mick Fanning vowed yesterday to return to the waves after a “miracle” escape from a shark attack, as he paid tribute to courageous mate Julian Wilson for rushing to help.
The 34-year-old three-time world champion fought off a large shark during the final heat of a world tour event at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa on Sunday, with the dramatic scenes beamed live around the world.
He survived unscathed, with rival and close friend Wilson, also from Australia, furiously paddling towards him to help despite the danger posed by the shark, which experts suggested was either a bull or a great white.
“I guess someone was looking out for me. To walk away from a shark attack with not a scratch on you, it’s a miracle really,” Fanning said after arriving back in Sydney with Wilson, where they were met by a large media scrum.
“You just count your lucky stars and if there is someone up there looking after us – thanks.”
Speculation has been rife that Fanning may call it quits after indicating, in the moments after his terrifying ordeal, that he might not compete again.
Fanning admitted yesterday he was now dealing with “an emotional mental sort of trauma” that would probably take weeks, if not months, to get over.
But he vowed to get back on his board again.
“Surfing has given myself and my family so much. It’s gotten me through the hardest times in my life,” he said.
“So to turn my back on surfing, it just wouldn’t feel right.”
He is even prepared to get back in the waves at Jeffreys Bay. – AFP.
Online Reporter