The J-Bay Open, "the sixth stop on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League Championship Tour," was canceled Sunday after three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning was attacked by a shark just minutes into the final heat in South Africa, CNN details.
Shark at #JBayOpen. Thankfully, Mick Fanning is unharmed. https://t.co/Y20L1PpTMD
— #JBayOpen (@wsl) July 19, 2015
Watch above as two sharks appear to be circling Fanning, before he's knocked from his board.
Thankfully, the Water Safety Team was able to pull Fanning, and his competitor Julian Wilson, out of the waters before either were seriously injured.
Fanning unbelievably walked away from the attack with only a severed surfboard leash.
WSL Commissioner Kieren Perrow shares in a statement: "We are incredibly grateful that no one was seriously injured today. Mick's composure and quick acting in the face of a terrifying situation was nothing short of heroic and the rapid response of our Water Safety personnel was commendable," CNN reports. "The safety of our athletes is a priority for the WSL and, after discussions with both Finalists, we have decided to cancel the remainder of competition at the J-Bay Open. We appreciate the ongoing support we have in South Africa and once again want to express our gratitude to the Water Safety Team."
Fanning detailed to World Surf League TV that h
e "'punched' the shark 'in the back' to scare it away," CNN further reports. "'I had this feeling that something was behind (me), and all of a sudden I felt like I started getting pulled underwater. And then the thing came up and I was on my board and it was right there,' he said."
Shark at #JBayOpen. Thankfully, Mick Fanning is unharmed. https://t.co/Y20L1PpTMD
— #JBayOpen (@wsl) July 19, 2015
Watch above as two sharks appear to be circling Fanning, before he's knocked from his board.
Thankfully, the Water Safety Team was able to pull Fanning, and his competitor Julian Wilson, out of the waters before either were seriously injured.
Fanning unbelievably walked away from the attack with only a severed surfboard leash.
WSL Commissioner Kieren Perrow shares in a statement: "We are incredibly grateful that no one was seriously injured today. Mick's composure and quick acting in the face of a terrifying situation was nothing short of heroic and the rapid response of our Water Safety personnel was commendable," CNN reports. "The safety of our athletes is a priority for the WSL and, after discussions with both Finalists, we have decided to cancel the remainder of competition at the J-Bay Open. We appreciate the ongoing support we have in South Africa and once again want to express our gratitude to the Water Safety Team."
Fanning detailed to World Surf League TV that h
e "'punched' the shark 'in the back' to scare it away," CNN further reports. "'I had this feeling that something was behind (me), and all of a sudden I felt like I started getting pulled underwater. And then the thing came up and I was on my board and it was right there,' he said."
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