Australian surfer Jamie Mitchell has pushed through the pain of a broken sternum to place second at the World Surf League's Big Wave event at Mexico's famed Puerto Escondido.
Mitchell sustained the injury after being speared by his own board while practising for the event at the same break just over a fortnight ago.
At the time, Mitchell told Tracks Magazine the wipe-out and resulting injury was the "closest one I've come to thinking, 'if I don't pull this off I could drown, this is the real deal'."
Mitchell dedicated his second placing behind Hawaii's Kai Lenny to daughter Nevaeh and a second daughter due to be born within weeks.
The event is the first for the World Surf League's 2017 Big Wave World Tour and attracted competitors from the US, South Africa, Portugal, Italy and the United Kingdom.
It was selected for its ability to consistently produce massive waves that break close to shore, a situation which has also resulted in the numerous serious accidents and deaths since first being surfed in the early seventies.
Win a redemption for Lenny
Lenny said the win was redemption for an average performance at the same event in 2016.
"My goal this year was to come back and make the final," Lenny said.
"It was tough out there though. I was getting pounded for most of the day and I felt like I was waiting for that one wave that was going to let me out all day. I didn't think it was going to come, but that's what makes it much sweeter."
Mitchell heaped praise on the 26-year-old Hawaiian, who is also known for his ability to ride big waves on all forms of equipment, including stand up paddleboards and the recently introduced foil-board, which sees a surfer riding waves above the water.
"I'm really stoked for Kai," Mitchell said.
"We all know how talented he is and overall it was an amazing final and I'm stoked to be here."
The next event of the tour is at the Portugese break of Nazare — where Mitchell is defending champion — before the final stop in Hawaii.
Competitors are required to wear inflatable vests at each stop of the tour and are monitored by a larger than usual jet ski presence.
