Surfing champ fights off shark during competition (with video)

A televised professional surfing competition in South Africa became too exciting when a shark attacked three-time world champion Mick Fanning. He somehow managed to escape unharmed.

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Australian surfer Mick Fanning (pictured blue) talks to journalists after he was attacked by a shark during the J-Bay Open final in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. AFP PHOTO / WSL / KELLY CESTARI

Surf pro fights off S.Africa shark attack in horror TV footage

Johannesburg, July 19, 2015, AFP – An Australian surfing champion fought back against a shark attack during a televised competition in South Africa on Sunday, escaping from the terrifying scene without injury.

Mick Fanning, 34, was competing in the final heat of a world tour event at Jeffreys Bay in the country's Eastern Cape province when a looming black fin appeared behind him.

In a churn of water and spray, Fanning could be seen battling to fend off the shark.

"It came up and got stuck in my leg rope," he said in a televised interview afterwards.

"I was kicking and screaming. I just saw a fin. I didn't see teeth. I was waiting for the teeth to come at me as I was swimming. I punched it in the back."

These handout screengrabs made and released on July 19, 2015 by the Worl Surf League (WSL) show Australian surfer Mick Fanning being attacked by a shark. AFP PHOTO / WSL

Fanning, a triple world champion nicknamed "White Lightning", was sitting on his board in the water when the shark lunged at him, tipping him off the board.

He was pulled from the water by a nearby rescue jet-ski that rushed to his aid.

The World Surf League (WSL), which organised the J-Bay Open, said two sharks were spotted in the water near Fanning and his rival Julian Wilson, also from Australia.

Slow-motion television footage showed the shark silently approaching Fanning from behind at high speed, first apparently trying to bite his legs before knocking him off the board with a blow to the shoulder.

Patrol boats and jet-skis charged in as a shark alarm siren was sounded and Fanning desperately swam away waving for help.

Calvin Bradley, of surf magazine ZigZag, was watching from the beach when the attack took place.

"(Fanning) was waiting for his wave to come through and while he was staring out to the horizon, suddenly a fin appeared behind him," he said.

"Everyone's heart just dropped because we knew exactly what was happening... He disappeared behind the waves and we were expecting the worst.

"It looked like he managed to get off the shark with his kicking and punching.

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