13-year-old surfing prodigy Leihani Zoric: ‘I don’t want to participate, I want to dominate’

The Guardian Sport Monday 09 November 2026, 14:00 UTC By Kieran Pender 1 min read

Key Points

The Indigenous Australian grew up idolising Steph Gilmore and Tyler Wright. Now she has them – and an Olympic gold – in her sightsLeihani Zoric, 13, grew up watching Australian surfers dominate on the world stage. Stephanie Gilmore, the greatest female surfer of all time, and Tyler Wright, a two-time World Surf League champion, were among her idols.

The Indigenous Australian grew up idolising Steph Gilmore and Tyler Wright. Now she has them – and an Olympic gold – in her sights

Leihani Zoric, 13, grew up watching Australian surfers dominate on the world stage. Stephanie Gilmore, the greatest female surfer of all time, and Tyler Wright, a two-time World Surf League champion, were among her idols.

“When I was little I always watched their surfing,” she says. “They inspired me in and out of the water.”

Leihani Zoric (PERSON) Australian (ORG) Steph Gilmore (PERSON) Tyler Wright (PERSON) Olympic (LOCATION) Zoric (LOCATION) Stephanie Gilmore (PERSON) World Surf League (ORG)

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13-year-old surfing prodigy Leihani Zoric: ‘I don’t want to participate, I want to dominate’

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