Dylan Bettencourt
Bianca Buitendag has won South Africa’s first-ever Olympic surfing medal as she claimed the country’s second medal of the day – after Tatjana Schoenmaker won silver in the women’s 100m breaststroke.
Buitendag’s score of 8.46 secured her second spot in a matchup against American Carissa Moore, who scored 14.93.
Buitendag struggled to find the perfect waves in the final. She could not find her form but still created history as the first female silver medalist in the surfing event.
The 27-year-old from Victoria Bay had an amazing set of results leading up to the final, beating Stephanie Gilmore, the seven-time world champion as well as defeating Yolanda Hopkins and Caroline Marks.
The South African came into the competition as the 17th ranked surfer and was not expected to reach the final.
But she did that in stunning fashion and ultimately fell short against the number one ranked Moore.
The American came into the Tokyo Olympics as the overwhelming favourite to claim the gold and that she did with a brilliant display in the final.
Image source: @TeamSA2020
