A surfer known as "White Lightning" achieved a world first yesterday when he fought off a shark during the finals of a major surfing competition.
Mick Fanning has been hailed as a hero after he punched a shark that attacked him during the final heat of the J-Bay Open surfing competition.
The encounter, captured by television cameras and beamed around the world, became an instant internet sensation.
The organisers of the Jeffrey's Bay surfing event later cancelled the competition, and Fanning and fellow Australian Julian Wilson shared the prize money of about R2-million.
"After discussions with both finalists, we have decided to cancel the remainder of the competition at the J-Bay Open," the World Surf League said.
Waiting for his turn to surf in the lineup, Fanning, 34, was sitting on his board when he felt the shark against his legs.
He lifted his legs and punched the shark.
The live footage showed the fin appear in the water behind him , and then the surfer fending off the shark.
"It came up and got stuck in my leg rope," Fanning said.
"I was kicking and screaming. I just saw a fin. I did not see teeth. I was waiting for the teeth to come at me as I was swimming. I punched it.
"I was being dragged and then my leash snapped so I could swim away."
Fanning was rescued by safety crews within 45 seconds of the attack. He said afterwards that he had only lost his leg rope and there was a small depression on his board.
Fanning, nicknamed "White Lightning", was competing in the final against fellow Australian Wilson, who had paddled towards his friend to help him.
"I am really happy he survived," Wilson said.
Pierre Tostee, a former professional surfer, said this was the first time that a shark had attacked a surfer during a competition.
Additional reporting by AFP
