After winning the Open Men’s division of the 2010 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games, last October 27, Hira Teriinatoofa made history by becoming the first male surfer ever to win two WSG gold medals. 

In the 2004 edition of the Games, Terinatoofa ripped the perfect lefts of Playa de la FAE and won the gold against Flavio Padaratz (BRA), Mark Richardson (AUS) and Sean Holmes (RSA) in the final. Teriinatoofa's victory marked the first time in 14 years that a Tahitian surfer won the Open division world title (fellow countrymen Heifara Tahutini won in Japan 1990).

He was 24 back then, and after winning the title, a stoked Teriinatoofa said, "I still have a hard time realizing what has happened to me. I think that the judges liked my surfing, which is rather fluid, lovely to watch. I think that's what made the difference. I went all out to win this title."

It wasn’t easy to win the title in 2004, since he fell to the repecharge in the early rounds. "I'm very satisfied because the competition was difficult for me. I lost during the second round of qualifying heats and I had to go through a second qualifier and 11 different series in order to win the title," he said.

Six years later, a more mature Teriinatoofa went to Peru focused, eager to win again and to give his country a good result. The path was easier for him this time, making it all the way to the main event final. He lost in that tough heat but was able to win the repecharge final and made it to the final heat of the event.

In the middle of a tough battle for the overall team gold between Peru and Australia, in a final that had Gabriel Villarán (PER), Mick Campbell (Australia) and Alan Jhones (BRA), the Tahitian excelled and led the final right from the beginning until the end.

"I am very happy winning the Gold. All I wanted was to make the final and to have fun. Thanks goes to God for the choice of the waves I took,” said Terinatoofa after winning his second gold medal.

Fernando Aguerre, President of the ISA commented after Hira’s victory, “I’m very happy to see such a classic, ripping surfer that is also a very kind human being, winning the gold. He’s a great example for younger generations of Tahitians and all surfers around the world. I was very touched, when right after awarding him his gold medal, instead of shaking my hand, he just gave me a long, heartfelt hug.”

Hira, a Polynesian name that means “Child of the Sun and Prince of Five Directions,” one of the greatest surfers ever to come from Tahiti was born in Papeete in 1980 and started surfing as a little child.