Olympic bronze medallist Johanne Defay has impressively reached the quarter-finals of the Rip Curl Pro in Portugal while 16 weeks pregnant. The 31-year-old surfer, who secured her medal at the upcoming Paris 2024 Games, is participating in her final World Surf League event before embarking on maternity leave.
Defay showcased her talent during the round of 16, defeating Vahine Fierro, and has now set her sights on a face-off against American competitor Caroline Marks. Commentator AJ McCord highlighted the significance of Defay’s participation, stating, “She’s out here to prove you can do it all. You can be a mother, you can be a professional athlete.”
Having announced her pregnancy in February, Defay has remained committed to competitive surfing and is aiming for back-to-back victories at the Peniche event. Reflecting on the significance of competing close to home, she expressed her joy about being able to conclude her event in Europe, saying, “I’m super happy to get that win and I feel so supported here.”
In addition to her remarkable journey, Defay has indicated her intentions to return to the tour following the birth of her child. Meanwhile, Australian surfers Tyler Wright and Molly Picklum have also made it to the quarter-finals and will square off against each other.