Four-time Rip Curl Pro champion Mick Fanning has forced his way into the last 16 at Bells Beach with a stunning upset win over world No.1 Kanoa Igarashi.
A tense affair ended with the Olympic silver medallist needing a score of 8.94 on his final ride to win, but only managed an 8.
Fanning said he was “gassed” after the epic battle.
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“I didn’t realise my fitness level wasn’t up to it,” he told reporters.
“This old boy ain’t fit.”
The veteran first won the event in 2001 as a teenager, before claiming three wins in four years in 2012, 2014, and 2015.
He was offered a wild card entry into this event and is taking full advantage.
“As a wildcard, you want to come in and put on a performance,” he said.
“Going up against the world No.1, I had nothing to lose. I just came here to have fun.”
Fanning faces fellow Australian Callum Robson in the next round, after the latter defeated Portuguese surfer Frederico Morais.
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