Australian surfing champion Sally Fitzgibbons breaks down after losing her shot at Olympic gold 

‘My heart is shattered’: Australian surfing champion Sally Fitzgibbons breaks down after being knocked out of the women’s finals and losing her shot at Olympic gold

Australian surfing legend Sally Fitzgibbons has broken down in tears after being knocked out of the Tokyo Olympics. 

The 30-year-old athlete couldn’t hide her emotions as she spoke to media after her devastating loss to Japanese contender Amuro Tsuzuki in the women’s quarterfinals on Tuesday afternoon.

‘It hurts so bad! This one probably the toughest loss of my career,’ a visibly distraught Fitzgibbons confessed.  

‘My heart is shattered’: Australian surfing champion Sally Fitzgibbons, 30, (pictured) broke down after being knocked out of the women’s finals and losing her shot at Olympic gold on Tuesday 

‘Yeah, I wanted do it so bad for my teammates and my country and it didn’t happen today. I had the best time out there. I tried my hardest, it wasn’t my day. Yeah, it’s so hard,’ she said, bursting into tears.    

‘My heart is just shattered. I am going to work really hard and hopefully see you all in 2024,’ Fitzgibbons wept.  

She went on to encourage the youth of Australia to follow in her footsteps by taking up surfing.  

Loss: Fitzgibbons showed her extreme disappointment after losing the women's quarterfinal at the Toyko Olympics on Tuesday

Loss: Fitzgibbons showed her extreme disappointment after losing the women’s quarterfinal at the Toyko Olympics on Tuesday 

‘I hope all the young guns can pick up a board for the first time, go out there with a smile on their face and ride waves,’ she said. 

‘It brings the most joy in life. Every day it puts a smile on my face.’  

Fitzgibbons had briefly taken the lead over Tsuzuki after posting a 6.17 wave, but was outdone moments later by the Japanese surfer’s 6.67. 

Initial lead: Fitzgibbons had briefly taken the lead over Tsuzuki after posting a 6.17 wave, but was outdone moments later by the Japanese surfer's 6.67

Initial lead: Fitzgibbons had briefly taken the lead over Tsuzuki after posting a 6.17 wave, but was outdone moments later by the Japanese surfer’s 6.67 

Overall, Tsuzuki prevailed at 13.27m, while Fitzgibbons fell short at 11.67. 

Fitzgibbons will now cheer on her teammate Owen Wright, who still has a chance at winning gold after advancing to the semi-finals on Tuesday morning.  

Wright will battle for entry into the finals against Brazil’s Italo Ferreira on Tuesday afternoon.   

Waving goodbye to gold: Overall, Tsuzuki prevailed at 13.27m, while Fitzgibbons fell short at 11.67

Waving goodbye to gold: Overall, Tsuzuki prevailed at 13.27m, while Fitzgibbons fell short at 11.67

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