AUSSIE surfing champion Mick Fanning was attacked by a shark on live television during the final of a world tour event in South Africa on Sunday night.
Fanning had just begun his final heat at Jefferys Bay when he was knocked off his board and had his leg rope chewed off.
He was immediately fished out of the water by safety crews on jet skis and was not hurt.
“It came up and got stuck in my leg rope,” Fanning said. “I instantly just jumped away. It kept coming at my board and I was kicking and screaming. I just saw fins. I didn’t see teeth. I was waiting for the teeth to come at me. I punched it in the back.”
Fanning’s opponent, fellow Australian Julian Wilson, was also unharmed. The event was called off for the day after WSL deputy commissioner Renato Hickel confirmed there were two sharks spotted in the water.
It’s understood to be the first time a surfer has been attacked by a shark during a world tour event. Aussie surfer Taj Burrow reported seeing a shark during a heat at Jefferys Bay in 2003.