3 minute read

John John Florence has sounded a warning to reigning world champion Gabriel Medina as the American surfer's comeback gathers pace on the Gold Coast.

His biggest rival from last year - Julian Wilson - may be out of the season-opening WSL event on the Gold Coast but world champion Gabriel Medina is in the sights of John John Florence.

The American - having suffered a knee injury that wrecked his 2018 world title defence - could only watch on last year as Brazilian Medina held off Australia's Wilson to claim his second championship.

As Wilson lost to wildcard Reef Heazlewood in Friday's third round of the Gold Coast Pro, Medina put in the display of the event to send out a warning to those looking to dethrone him.

The Brazilian scored a near perfect 19.13 out of 20 at Duranbah to charge into the fourth round.

But while Wilson joined legendary American Kelly Slater on the tournament scrapheap, two-time world champion Florence is building nicely in his comeback event.

The 26-year-old was too good for last year's event runner-up - Australian Adrian Buchan - and will next face Brazilian aerial specialist Filipe Toledo in a blockbuster fourth-round match-up.

Florence said watching Medina take out last year's title had stoked his fire to get back from his injury woes.

"That's the whole reason I'm back here on tour," Florence said.

"The whole reason I'm fighting to do this again. I want another world title so bad.

"I'm stoked to see Gabby win, he's one of the most all-time competitors and it really drove me to want to win. Seeing him win, I was like, okay, I'm coming back and I'm going to try my best."

Organisers will inspect Duranbah again on Saturday though a building sandbank at traditional venue Snapper Rocks may generate the swell needed to move the event back there.

The next call is scheduled for 6.30am AEST with the action most likely to resume with the men's fourth-round.