.Australian surfing legend Mick Fanning fights off shark during competition
- .Footage shows the massive killer's fin emerge from water behind Fanning
- .34-year-old was knocked off the board in the attack and fought for his life
- .'I was waiting for the teeth to come... I punched him on the back,' he said
This is the amazing moment a world champion surfer stopped a shark from attacking him by punching the beast in the back.
Surfing legend Mick Fanning fought off the animal during the final round of the J-Bay Open in South Africa.
The 34-year-old described the moment he realised the shark was behind him as terrifying, saying: 'I was waiting for the teeth to come at me.'
Amazing footage of Australian surfing legend Mick Fanning fighting off a shark has been captured on camera
Footage, released by the World Surf League (WSL), who organise the event, shows the shark’s fin emerge from the water before following Mr Fanning as he paddled out of the shallows.
The three-time world champion, who was competing against fellow Australian Julian Wilson in the final, can be seen being knocked off his board before he attempts to use it as a shield to stop the shark biting him.
The clips ends with him being hauled into a rescue boat by officials and brought back to the shore.
Speaking after the incident, Mr Fanning, who was uninjured and only lost a leg rope in the incident, said: 'It came up and got stuck in my leg rope.
'I instantly just jumped away. It kept coming at my board and I was kicking and screaming.
Footage shows the shark's fin slowly rise out of the water, before lunging at Mr Fanning, who begins to fight for his life
The distressing situation could be easily seen from the coast, with footage showing the shark thrashing around
'It came up and got stuck in my leg rope,' Mr Fanning said. 'I instantly just jumped away. It kept coming at my board and I was kicking and screaming'
Commentator Ross Williams said the incident was one of the craziest things he had seen in a competition.
He said: 'No one has ever seen anyone attacked in a heat... it was such a scary thing to see him come off his board.'
We could see the splashing and he was knocked off his board. I thought this guy was going to die in front of us, it was so hectic
Kaylee Smit, who witnessed the attack
Spectator Kaylee Smit told News24: 'We were all watching and then all of a sudden you could see the fin so we knew it was a shark.
'We could see the splashing and he was knocked off his board.
'I thought this guy was going to die in front of us, it was so hectic.
'It was surreal. The whole crowd rose to their feet in complete silence and then that was broken by the announcer screaming over the information system for people to get out of the water.
'I am still in shock and I am shaking.'
Fans also responded to the incident on social media, with many commending Mr Fanning's bravery.
Mr Fanning was knocked off his board and battled the beast desperately until he could be hauled into a rescue boat by officials
During one particularly scary moment in the footage, Mr Fanning (pictured far right) can be seen swimming away from his surfboard as he attempts to get away
Rescuers used jet skis to get into the water and made sure both Mr Fanning and Julian Wilson, who he was competing against, were safe
The brave surfer looked exhausted as he caught his breath on a float on the back of a jet ski
Mr Fanning can be seen standing in the shallows and talking to officials after being dragged away from the beast
Mr Fanning was competing against fellow Australian Mr Wilson (pictured above in red) in the final, and was visibly shaken after he returned to dry land
One Facebook user dubbed the surfer as 'the next Chuck Norris', while another wrote: 'This guy is my hero'.
Renato Hickel, deputy commissioner of WSL, confirmed the competition had been called off after two further sharks were spotted in the area.
The organisation initially announced the shock attack on Facebook, writing: 'Sharks are in the lineup. Thankfully, Mick Fanning is unharmed.
'The #JBayOpen has been cancelled.'
Paul Speaker, chief executive of WSL, later added: 'We are incredibly grateful that no one was seriously injured today.
Mr Fanning shows off his incredible skills in the quarter final of the competition, which ended with him being attacked by a shark
The talented surfer, pictured in the quarter finals, has previously won the 2007, 2009 and 2013 ASP World Tour
The competition has been called off for the day, after organisers said two sharks had been spotted in the area
'Mick's composure and quick acting in the face of a terrifying situation was nothing short of heroic and the rapid response of our Water Safety personnel was commendable - they are truly world class at what they do.
'The safety of our athletes is a priority for the WSL and, after discussions with both Finalists, we have decided to cancel the remainder of competition at the #JBayOpen.
'We appreciate the ongoing support we have in South Africa and once again want to express our gratitude to the Water Safety Team.'
The waters are some of the most shark-infested in the world, according to Reuters.
The last reported incident of a surfer being killed by a Great White shark close to Jeffreys Bay was in 2013.
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