Australian star surfer Mick Fanning is dealing with the sudden death of his brother while challenging for a fourth world title, capping a traumatic year in which he survived a shark attack.
The 34-year-old is competing at the title-deciding Pipe Masters in Hawaii, the climax of a gruelling global season with Fanning in contention to be crowned world champion alongside Brazilians Adriano de Souza and Gabriel Medina.
He progressed to the fourth round on Wednesday, soon after being told of his older brother Peter’s death, reportedly in his sleep in Australia.
In an emotional television interview after emerging from the waves, Fannning broke down as he said he was dealing with some “personal” issues, although he did not say what they were.
“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, as tears flowed.
His sponsor Rip Curl confirmed that his brother had died suddenly.
“This is a private family matter. However, we can confirm his older brother Peter has passed away,” a Rip Curl spokeswoman told AFP.
Another of Fanning’s brothers, Sean, died in a car accident in 1998.
It capped a traumatic year for the surfer, who made headlines around the globe when he battled a shark on live television while competing at a world tour event at Jeffreys Bay off South Africa’s Eastern Cape province in mid-July.
He survived unscathed and in the moments after the terrifying ordeal indicated he might not compete again. But Fanning soon overcame his fears and returned to the ocean a week later.