Inspired by words from his mum, Gabriel Medina conquered the world's greatest surfer - on what's been labelled the best day in competition history - to win his third tour event of the year in Tahiti.
The 20-year-old Brazilian edged out 11-times world champion Kelly Slater by a narrow 0.03 in an epic final at Teahupo'o on Tuesday, extending his lead atop the world title standings.
With waves reaching more than four-and-a-half metres at the dangerous reef break, the pair posted a series of nine-point scores to be neck-and-neck for most of heat.
It came down to the last 30 seconds and final wave for Slater, who needed a 9.33 for victory but could only manage a 9.30.
"It's the best feeling ever," a tearful Medina said.
"I don't know, this crying, it's just because I love surfing. I love what I'm doing right now and to get this result is unbelievable.
"I went home to talk to my mum, and the words she said to me inspired me.
"She said `no-one's bigger than God'. And I trusted in God, I think it was him (that helped me win).
"I'm so blessed to have these conditions at (Teahupo'o) and to surf against all these guys."
Medina, who also won the season-opening Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast and Billabong Pro in Rio, said he thought he'd lost the final after taking a late tumble.
"I just did a mistake and I thought that was it," he said.
"Kelly, he's a legend of surfing, and he knows what he's doing."
It was Slater's first tour final of the year, catapulting him from sixth to second on the rankings and back in the hunt for a record 12th crown.
The 42-year-old scored two perfect 10s in his defeats of Hawaiian John John Florence and Australia's Owen Wright on his way to the final.
"The ocean delivered for us today ... it was incredible," Slater said.
"I've never seen anything like it and today will go down as one of the best days of surfing in my career, no question.
"Congratulations to Gabriel. He was in rhythm all event and specifically in the final, and he's on fire this year."
Australia's reigning world champion Mick Fanning, who was eliminated in the third round, slipped two spots to fifth in the 2014 title race but echoed Slater's sentiments about the event.
"Wow that was the best day in competition history!! Congrats to @gabrielmedina huge win!" he posted on Instragram.
Bede Durbidge was the only Australian to make it through to the semi-finals, where he was toppled by Medina.
Countryman Owen Wright, meanwhile, scored the annual Andy Irons Most Committed Performance Award, given to the event's standout surfer.
Four events remain on the 11-stop tour, which next heads to Trestles in California from September 9.
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