Jack Robinson’s determination sets him for world stage

Margaret River surfing star Jack Robinson has drawn upon all his grit and determination to recapture the ground lost during a spate of injuries this year.

The leading Aussie surfer won the World Surf League’s Tahiti Pro last week, forced his way back into the top 5 men, and qualified to represent Australia in surfing at the Paris Olympics.

Understandably, the 25 year old was jubilant at the turnaround.

“It was meant to be, you know?” Robinson said.

“I just never stopped, even when I was down through the year.

“I just couldn’t give up. I had to give it everything,” he said.

“I feel like it was time for this moment. I felt like I envisioned it.

“I didn’t say this was the last event — I said that won’t be the last event (for the year). So I’m excited.”

Beating Gabriel Medina in the final achieved more than just securing Robinson the win.

The big-wave victory at Teahupo also gives Robinson the strategic edge when it comes to the Olympics challenge, which will be held in the same French Polynesian territory.

Robinson and Medina were favoured as the two strongest surfers in big conditions.

Medina’s loss ousted him from the WSL final five, clearing Robinson’s path at Teahupo for the Olympics and putting him on track for Olympic gold.

Brazilians Filipe Toledo and Jaoa Chianca are set to be his closest challengers.

The victory was a strong reversal for Robinson, whose top-five hopes looked shot when he missed the Margaret River Pro with a knee injury before recording 17th-placed finishes in the next three events.

He entered Tahiti’s 10th and final stop of the regular season ranked eighth in the world, and was up against world champion Medina as well as John John Florence.