Shark Attack Video: Surfing Champion Mick Fanning Almost Bitten During Actual Competition

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By Staff Reporter media@latinoshealth.com

Jul 21, 2015 06:30 AM EDT

Tags Mick Fanning, J-Bay WSL

Australian surfer Mick Fanning has been in many competitions all throughout his career, and has been privileged to have won three surfing world championships. However, while waiting for his turn at the J-Bay Open in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, something extraordinary has occurred that had him swimming for his life.

The Chicago Tribune writes that last Sunday, Mick Fanning was attacked by a shark during a live television coverage. It has knocked the surfer off his board, and although it did not bite him, he found himself fearing for his safety and gave the giant creature a punch at the back.

One commentator is heard saying, "A big sigh of relief seeing Fanning in one piece."

CBS News adds that Fanning knows surfing with predators in open seas is really a hazard when surfing. Although this is the first time the surfer has experienced getting attacked by a shark, he said he will definitely come back to the waters.

He compared surfing to the hazards of driving, and said having a car accident is as inevitable as getting bitten by a shark at sea. The surfer narrated how he timely pulls away after his leg rope broke and began swimming for dear life, screaming. He then saw co-finalist Julian Wilson and tells him to go to safety, but instead of swimming back to shore, Wilson came to his side while they wait for rescuers on jet skis to arrive.

The Star also writes that Fanning's mother had seen the whole thing on television. Elizabeth Osborne said it was the worst thing any mother can witness. She said she has been absolutely frightened for her son's safety. Osborne had felt relief wash over her when she saw Fanning safe and sound, and even shared that Fanning's brother Sean, who had died in a car accident, might be watching over him all throughout the debacle.

CNN further reports that organizers of the J-Bay Open, the sixth stop of the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League Championship Tour, had called off the tournament for fear of the surfers' safety. After talking with WSL Commissioner Kieren Perrow, Fanning and Wilson were given equal second ranking and have split the prize that should have been awarded to the sole winner.

A photo of Fanning's surfboard has been posted on Twitter minutes after the incident, showing a broken rope.