Mick Fanning Wins the 2007 ASP World Tour Title

All the hard work and determination has finally paid off for Red Bull's Mick Fanning, he claims his first ever ASP World Surfing Title after a win at the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil.

Also Read Mick's Interview about his 2007 ASP Tour Championship!

Sometimes, it's a fight to the top. And Mick Fanning is used to that. He came from a single-mom household (Mom is now manager too!), and lost his brother in a tragic car accident. But, it seemed nothing could stop him from steadily rising among the ranks of the world's elite surfers.

Just two years ago, after climbing to third in the world rankings, he suffered a huge blow, tearing his hamstring and forcing him out of the water for awhile. From that point on, Mick’s fight was not only to return to professional surfing, but also to win a World Title.

And, after out-surfing the world’s best, and winning the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil this week, Mick finally did just that. Fanning clinched the ASP World Title with the victory, easily making this the biggest day of his career.

And Mick says that just maybe his brother's spirit was there with him.

"It was so cool with Joel (Parkinson, Mick's childhood friend) out there in the final and there was a dolphin out there, I'm not sure if it was my brother or what," Fanning said. "Every heat I've had today there has been a dolphin right there in the lineup, just chilling."

It was also a big day for Australia, with Mick’s win the World Championship trophy is on its way back to Oz for the first time in eight years. Americans had been hogging the hardware, with Kelly Slater and Andy Irons (one of Mick's Red Bull surfing teammates) taking most of the titles since 1992. The only Aussie - and only non-American - winner during that stretch was Mark Occhilupo in 1999.

"To take the reins over from Oc is incredible," Fanning said. "He is pretty much the legend of the sport. He's such a character and such a cool guy. Even when I've been on tour with Andy, he's such a determined guy as well and I was there for his first world title. And then there's Kelly - the guy who gave inspiration to every kid who surfs today, he's amazing."

All that's true. But we've heard that lately, everyone is looking up to Mick Fanning. World Champion. Even the dolphins.