The surfing world is mourning the death of former Australian athlete Chris Davidson, who died on Saturday after being punched and hitting his head on the ground outside a pub in the town of South West Rocks, New South Wales ( Australia).
"The World Surf League, and the surfing community in general, are sad (...) Our thoughts are with his family and friends," the World Surf League said on Instagram in a tribute to Davidson, 45, who He was considered the fourteenth best surfer in the world in 2010 and 2011.
"I had good battles with this man. One of the most talented surfers I've ever met," said 11-time world champion Kelly Slater. Known as 'Davo', he rose to fame when in 1996, at just 19 years old, he beat Slater, the best surfer in history, twice in a row.
According to the New South Wales Police, a 42-year-old man, who has been arrested, allegedly punched Davidson, who fell to the ground and hit his head on the ground on Saturday night in the town 450 kilometers north Sydney.
"He was treated by ambulance attendants before being taken to Kempsey Hospital where he died shortly after," a police statement said. The Australian surfer died in hospital and the alleged assailant was arrested.
