The J-Bay Open surf competition in South Africa has been put on hold after Mick Fanning was attacked by a shark.
The Australian wasn't hurt in the incident at Jeffreys Bay, managing to fight the shark off by punching it before being pulled out of the water by safety crews.
"I was just sitting there and I felt something just get stuck in my leg rope, and I was kicking, trying to get it away," he said afterwards.
"I instantly just jumped away. It kept coming at my board and I was kicking and screaming.
"I just saw fins. I was waiting for teeth. I punched it in the back."
Fanning was competing against fellow Australian Julian Wilson in the world tour event final when the near-miss happened.
Event organisers have stopped the event, and have not yet said when it will resume.
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