The man has endured a shitload this year – first, a near-death shark attack, and overnight the death of his older brother Peter, who’s his second sibling to pass after Sean Fanning died in a car crash in 1998 – but Mick Fanning is keeping right on pushing.
Informed of Pete’s tragic death just hours before he paddled at the Pipeline surf break in Oahu, Hawaii, the Aussie champ refused to throw in the towel, continuing to battle it out for the world title.
Speaking to media after making it through to the last stages of the Billabong Pipe Masters, the quarter-final, Mick gave a hero’s effort at keeping his emotions in check as he gave his first interview since learning of his family’s latest loss.
“It’s been a huge day. Just got some personal stuff going on at home, and just yeah, it’s sort of heavy to talk about right now,” he said, fighting back tears. “I dunno, I’m just sort of cruisin’, just trying to live.”
It’s heartbreaking to watch, but shit it’s inspiring; the man is a legend.
This is the barrel that pushed Mick through to the quarter-finals, where he’s right now in a quarter-final showdown against Kelly Slater.
AUSTRALIA BEHIND HIM! Mick Fanning’s epic ride at #PipeMasters to secure passage into the quarter-finals #GoMick pic.twitter.com/65rUBBUlWN
— FOX SPORTS News (@FOXSportsNews) December 17, 2015
We’re all rooting for you, Mick, you bloody legend.
Source: Fox Sports.
