Meet the tiny 12-year-old set to debut at pro-surfing's heaviest wave
Gallina - whose self-styled 'Miss Teahupo'o' Instagram page has already gained a significant following - booked a Tahiti Pro showdown with Australian title hope and world No.1 Molly Picklum by taking out the local trials earlier this week.
Gallina's victory secured the first of two women's wildcards to surf the Teahupo'o event from August 7, with the youngster's 13th birthday falling a few days later on August 10.
Gallina first surfed Teahupo'o - which loosely translates to 'place of skulls' in the local dialect - when she was just four years old and has regularly pushed herself into waves twice her size at the feared break.
'I have no words. I'm so happy. I can't believe it,' Gallina said on the WSL broadcast, adding that a first-up Tahiti Pro heat against Picklum is a dream come true.
Gallina's Instagram page - run by her father Ryan - chronicles a childhood spent navigating the left-hand barrels over infamously shallow reef.
In an interview with Stab Magazine following Gallina breakthrough Tahiti trials win, her father said: 'when Kelia was only a little girl, she was always the only girl out there [surfing Teahupo'o],' in reference to the WSL mothballing the women's championship event from 2006 to 2022 because it was deemed too dangerous for them.
Since the women's event returned to Teahupo'o, women's surfing in waves of consequence on the WCT has shot to unprecedented levels.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Bronze for Australia as US strike gold at worlds
Australian Alexandria Perkins has nabbed a bronze medal, Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh continued her winning ways and the virus-stricken US finally broke their gold medal duck on day two of the swimming world championships. Perkins produced a strong finish to snare third place in a hotly-contested women's 100m butterfly final in Singapore on Monday night. World record holder Gretchen Walsh started the race as the hottest of favourites, but the big question was whether she had escaped the gastro carnage that has swept through the US camp. The widespread sickness resulted in the powerful US team ending the opening night without a gold medal, with Australia beating them in both the men's and women's 4x100m freestyle relays. Walsh put any sickness doubts to rest on Monday night with a powerful 54.73-second swim that gave the 22-year-old a maiden world championship title and brought the US its first gold of the meet. The American now owns the eight fastest times in the 100m butterfly, with her latest effort the second best of all time. Belgium's Roos Vanotterdijk (55.84) finished second, while Perkins came home fast to nab bronze in a time of 56.33. "I can't be happier with that," an elated Perkins told Channel 9. "It was a new experience being in this final tonight. "I missed out last year at the Olympics, so I'm just really proud of myself for handling my nerves against someone like Gretchen. "She's just incredible. She did a phenomenal job." In what served as an entree to Tuesday night's final, Australian Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown finished second to American arch rival Regan Smith in the women's 100m backstroke semi-final. McIntosh, who is aiming for five individual gold medals at this championships, made it two from two on Monday night. The 18-year-old Canadian won the 400m women's freestyle on Sunday, and backed it up with victory in the 200m individual medley on Monday night. McIntosh won the medley in a time of 2:06.69, fending off a challenge from Alex Walsh (2:08.58) in which they were almost even heading into the last 50m. In the men's 200m freestyle, Australian Flynn Southam finished last in his semi-final heat to miss the final. China's Qin Halyang won his fourth world championships gold medal after coming from behind to defeat Italian Nicolo Martinenghi in the men's 100m breaststroke final. Frenchman Maxime Grousset (22.48) edged Switzerland's Noe Ponti (22.51) in a hotly-contested 50m men's butterfly final. Australia's 16-year-old rising star Sienna Toohey swam a time of 1:07.24 in the 100m breaststroke heats but missed out on a semi-final berth by 0.24 of a second. Toohey was in the same heat as triple Olympian and triple world record holder Lily King, who scraped into the semis with a time of 1:06.93. "That was the fastest heat swim I have ever done," Toohey said. "I knew I was racing Lily King but I was trying to pretend it wasn't her because I didn't want to get freaked out. But it was pretty cool." Australian Alexandria Perkins has nabbed a bronze medal, Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh continued her winning ways and the virus-stricken US finally broke their gold medal duck on day two of the swimming world championships. Perkins produced a strong finish to snare third place in a hotly-contested women's 100m butterfly final in Singapore on Monday night. World record holder Gretchen Walsh started the race as the hottest of favourites, but the big question was whether she had escaped the gastro carnage that has swept through the US camp. The widespread sickness resulted in the powerful US team ending the opening night without a gold medal, with Australia beating them in both the men's and women's 4x100m freestyle relays. Walsh put any sickness doubts to rest on Monday night with a powerful 54.73-second swim that gave the 22-year-old a maiden world championship title and brought the US its first gold of the meet. The American now owns the eight fastest times in the 100m butterfly, with her latest effort the second best of all time. Belgium's Roos Vanotterdijk (55.84) finished second, while Perkins came home fast to nab bronze in a time of 56.33. "I can't be happier with that," an elated Perkins told Channel 9. "It was a new experience being in this final tonight. "I missed out last year at the Olympics, so I'm just really proud of myself for handling my nerves against someone like Gretchen. "She's just incredible. She did a phenomenal job." In what served as an entree to Tuesday night's final, Australian Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown finished second to American arch rival Regan Smith in the women's 100m backstroke semi-final. McIntosh, who is aiming for five individual gold medals at this championships, made it two from two on Monday night. The 18-year-old Canadian won the 400m women's freestyle on Sunday, and backed it up with victory in the 200m individual medley on Monday night. McIntosh won the medley in a time of 2:06.69, fending off a challenge from Alex Walsh (2:08.58) in which they were almost even heading into the last 50m. In the men's 200m freestyle, Australian Flynn Southam finished last in his semi-final heat to miss the final. China's Qin Halyang won his fourth world championships gold medal after coming from behind to defeat Italian Nicolo Martinenghi in the men's 100m breaststroke final. Frenchman Maxime Grousset (22.48) edged Switzerland's Noe Ponti (22.51) in a hotly-contested 50m men's butterfly final. Australia's 16-year-old rising star Sienna Toohey swam a time of 1:07.24 in the 100m breaststroke heats but missed out on a semi-final berth by 0.24 of a second. Toohey was in the same heat as triple Olympian and triple world record holder Lily King, who scraped into the semis with a time of 1:06.93. "That was the fastest heat swim I have ever done," Toohey said. "I knew I was racing Lily King but I was trying to pretend it wasn't her because I didn't want to get freaked out. But it was pretty cool." Australian Alexandria Perkins has nabbed a bronze medal, Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh continued her winning ways and the virus-stricken US finally broke their gold medal duck on day two of the swimming world championships. Perkins produced a strong finish to snare third place in a hotly-contested women's 100m butterfly final in Singapore on Monday night. World record holder Gretchen Walsh started the race as the hottest of favourites, but the big question was whether she had escaped the gastro carnage that has swept through the US camp. The widespread sickness resulted in the powerful US team ending the opening night without a gold medal, with Australia beating them in both the men's and women's 4x100m freestyle relays. Walsh put any sickness doubts to rest on Monday night with a powerful 54.73-second swim that gave the 22-year-old a maiden world championship title and brought the US its first gold of the meet. The American now owns the eight fastest times in the 100m butterfly, with her latest effort the second best of all time. Belgium's Roos Vanotterdijk (55.84) finished second, while Perkins came home fast to nab bronze in a time of 56.33. "I can't be happier with that," an elated Perkins told Channel 9. "It was a new experience being in this final tonight. "I missed out last year at the Olympics, so I'm just really proud of myself for handling my nerves against someone like Gretchen. "She's just incredible. She did a phenomenal job." In what served as an entree to Tuesday night's final, Australian Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown finished second to American arch rival Regan Smith in the women's 100m backstroke semi-final. McIntosh, who is aiming for five individual gold medals at this championships, made it two from two on Monday night. The 18-year-old Canadian won the 400m women's freestyle on Sunday, and backed it up with victory in the 200m individual medley on Monday night. McIntosh won the medley in a time of 2:06.69, fending off a challenge from Alex Walsh (2:08.58) in which they were almost even heading into the last 50m. In the men's 200m freestyle, Australian Flynn Southam finished last in his semi-final heat to miss the final. China's Qin Halyang won his fourth world championships gold medal after coming from behind to defeat Italian Nicolo Martinenghi in the men's 100m breaststroke final. Frenchman Maxime Grousset (22.48) edged Switzerland's Noe Ponti (22.51) in a hotly-contested 50m men's butterfly final. Australia's 16-year-old rising star Sienna Toohey swam a time of 1:07.24 in the 100m breaststroke heats but missed out on a semi-final berth by 0.24 of a second. Toohey was in the same heat as triple Olympian and triple world record holder Lily King, who scraped into the semis with a time of 1:06.93. "That was the fastest heat swim I have ever done," Toohey said. "I knew I was racing Lily King but I was trying to pretend it wasn't her because I didn't want to get freaked out. But it was pretty cool."
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Aussies' winning start as Poppy gears for title defence
Adam Walton and James Duckworth have given the Australian men a winning start at the Canadian Open as Alexei Popyrin prepares to defend the Masters 1000 title he famously won last year. Walton rallied to beat Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 4-6 6-0 6-3 in their first-round clash in Toronto on Monday (AEST). His reward is a second-round match up with top seeded Aexander Zverev, who had a first-round bye. Qualifier Duckworth beat China's Shang Juncheng 6-3 7-6 (7-3) and next meets third seed Lorenzo Musetti. Meanwhile, 18th seed Popyrin enjoyed a first-round bye before he faces 638th-ranked Canadian wild card Nicolas Arseneault in his first match. Popyrin is defending the title he won last year in Montreal when he downed Andrey Rublev in the final to become the first Australian winner of a Masters 1000 title since Lleyton Hewitt 21 years earlier. He followed that breakthrough by claiming the scalp of Novak Djokovic in the third round of the US Open before falling to Francis Tiafoe in the round of 16. However, it has not been easy going for Popyrin in recent weeks after he followed a first-round exit at Wimbledon with another first-up defeat in Washington, losing to China's lowly-ranked Wu Yibing in three sets. In the Canadian Open women's draw, Australia's Kimberley Birrell suffered a first-round loss to Canada's Victoria Mboko 7-5 6-3. Adam Walton and James Duckworth have given the Australian men a winning start at the Canadian Open as Alexei Popyrin prepares to defend the Masters 1000 title he famously won last year. Walton rallied to beat Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 4-6 6-0 6-3 in their first-round clash in Toronto on Monday (AEST). His reward is a second-round match up with top seeded Aexander Zverev, who had a first-round bye. Qualifier Duckworth beat China's Shang Juncheng 6-3 7-6 (7-3) and next meets third seed Lorenzo Musetti. Meanwhile, 18th seed Popyrin enjoyed a first-round bye before he faces 638th-ranked Canadian wild card Nicolas Arseneault in his first match. Popyrin is defending the title he won last year in Montreal when he downed Andrey Rublev in the final to become the first Australian winner of a Masters 1000 title since Lleyton Hewitt 21 years earlier. He followed that breakthrough by claiming the scalp of Novak Djokovic in the third round of the US Open before falling to Francis Tiafoe in the round of 16. However, it has not been easy going for Popyrin in recent weeks after he followed a first-round exit at Wimbledon with another first-up defeat in Washington, losing to China's lowly-ranked Wu Yibing in three sets. In the Canadian Open women's draw, Australia's Kimberley Birrell suffered a first-round loss to Canada's Victoria Mboko 7-5 6-3. Adam Walton and James Duckworth have given the Australian men a winning start at the Canadian Open as Alexei Popyrin prepares to defend the Masters 1000 title he famously won last year. Walton rallied to beat Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 4-6 6-0 6-3 in their first-round clash in Toronto on Monday (AEST). His reward is a second-round match up with top seeded Aexander Zverev, who had a first-round bye. Qualifier Duckworth beat China's Shang Juncheng 6-3 7-6 (7-3) and next meets third seed Lorenzo Musetti. Meanwhile, 18th seed Popyrin enjoyed a first-round bye before he faces 638th-ranked Canadian wild card Nicolas Arseneault in his first match. Popyrin is defending the title he won last year in Montreal when he downed Andrey Rublev in the final to become the first Australian winner of a Masters 1000 title since Lleyton Hewitt 21 years earlier. He followed that breakthrough by claiming the scalp of Novak Djokovic in the third round of the US Open before falling to Francis Tiafoe in the round of 16. However, it has not been easy going for Popyrin in recent weeks after he followed a first-round exit at Wimbledon with another first-up defeat in Washington, losing to China's lowly-ranked Wu Yibing in three sets. In the Canadian Open women's draw, Australia's Kimberley Birrell suffered a first-round loss to Canada's Victoria Mboko 7-5 6-3.
Courier-Mail
2 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Perkins claims 100m butterfly bronze as Walsh dominates in record time
Don't miss out on the headlines from Swimming. Followed categories will be added to My News. In swimming terms Alex Perkins is somewhat of a late bloomer. But in public perception, the 25-year-old Gold Coaster is now the next member of Generation Next after she stormed home late to secure a bronze medal in the women's 100m butterfly at the world titles in Singapore. A day after the women's and men's freestyle relay teams shocked the world with a pair of gold medals, it was Perkins who was next to step up and claim an unexpected medal with a third place in the butterfly in 56.33s. Gretchen Walsh is congratulated by Alexandria Perkins after winning gold in the Women's 100m Butterfly Final. Picture: Getty Images US star Gretchen Walsh claimed the gold medal in 54.73s, just missing her own world record, ahead of Roos Vanotterdijk of Belgium in second while Olympic champ Torri Huske withdrew from the heats as one of the several US stars who had battled a gastro bug throughout the lead up to these titles. Perkins, a relay heat swimmer silver medallist at the Paris Olympics last year, was fourth at the 50m turn and then came home strongly to secure her first individual international medal. 'I can't be happier with that,' she said. Perkins finished 13th in the 100m butterfly at last year's Olympics, and was happy to have such a strong improvement in 12 months. 'I missed out last year at the Olympics and I'm really proud of myself for coming here and handling my nerves,' Perkins said. 'I was definitely nervous today, but I just kept telling myself I just need to do the best job I can.' Gretchen Walsh claimed gold in record time. Picture: Getty Images BOHL'D OVER The men's 100m breaststroke final was a gold medal result that cut deeper than most. Not a single Australian qualified for the final, while the winner Qin Haiyang of China was being coached by one of our greatest minds. Michael Bohl, mentor to the likes of Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown and Stephanie Rice, shocked Australian swimming last year when he announced he was taking the year off coaching only to sign a lucrative new deal in China a few months later. Now, rather than find our next generation of champions, he's played a major role helping China's superstar breaststroker return to form. Qin struggled in Paris last year after he was named as one of the 23 athletes who tested positive but was cleared of a doping violation ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. But with Bohl in his corner, he stormed home in the final 25m to secure a comfortable victory. China's swimmer Haiyang Qin won the men's 100m breaststroke title. Picture: AFP AWKWARD AUSSIE ABSENCE If seeing Bohl celebrate a gold medal wasn't hard enough to stomach, there was more pain throughout the second night schedule to highlight the deficiencies in the Australian swimming team. No Australian in the men's 100m breaststroke final. No Australian in the men's 100m backstroke semi-finals. No Australian in the women's 100m breaststroke semi-finals. No Australian in the men's 50m butterfly final. There will be no Australian in the men's 200m freestyle final on Tuesday night after Flynn Southam (1:45.80) finished 10th in the semi-finals. There are some significant gaps in the Dolphins swim team and while it may be too soon to find potential medallists in those races for Los Angeles in 2028, the planning must start now for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. Flynn Southam failed to make the men's 20m freestyle final. Picture: AFP CASUAL KAYLEE Australia's most dominant current swimmer Kaylee McKeown eased her way into the 100m backstroke final, touching second in her semi-final behind fierce US rival Regan Smith in the semi-finals. Smith was fastest in 58.21s, closely followed by McKeown in 58.44s. The pair are expected to battle it out for gold in Tuesday night's final, with McKeown boasting the better finals record having won in Paris last year and the 2023 world titles where she swept all three backstroke gold medals. McKeown admitted she has a far different perspective to racing this year than she did at last year's Olympic Games where she won the 100m-200m double for the second Games in succession. 'I think Paris I really got consumed by the pressure and the nerves, especially the ones I put on myself,' she said. 'This year I'm taking a step back and just enjoying the sport. 'I don't care if I come last, I've just come here for a good time.' Kaylee McKeown eased her way into the women's 100m backstroke final. Picture: AFP YU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT Canada's Summer McIntosh secured her second gold medal of the world titles, winning the 200m medley in 2:06.69, but it was China's 12-year-old Yu Zidi who almost completely stole the show. Yu was already the youngest swimmer to ever qualify for a world titles final, but she almost became the story of the night as she produced a late 50m surge going from seventh to just miss a medal by 0.06s in fourth place. USA's Alex Walsh pushed McIntosh down the third 50m but couldn't hold on in the freestyle leg to touch in second in 2:08.58, followed by Canada's Mary Sophie Harvey in 2:09.15 ahead of Yu in 2:09.21. Incredibly Yu's final 50m freestyle was swum in 30.17s, only 0.01s slower than McIntosh who is the 400m freestyle world record holder. Originally published as 'Can't be happier': Alexandria Perkins claims butterfly bronze at world championships
