John John Florence's journey to the 2016 WSL championship title

22-year-old John John Florence clinched the 2016 World Surf League title at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal in Peniche on Monday, marking the first time a Hawaiian has held the world championship title since Andy Irons in 2004. Florence has competed on the WSL Championship tour for six years but his 2016 title is the first of his career. Florence’s season started slowly but he claimed a win in Brazil in May and then in Rio de Janeiro before placing second at Jeffreys Bay, second in Tahiti and third in France, beating out Gabriel Medina, Matt Wilkinson, Jordy Smith and Kelly Slater to cement his win in Portugal. Below, take a look back at the best moments and highlights of Florence's 2016 championship season.
John John Florence's journey to the 2016 WSL championship title
John John Florence's journey to the 2016 WSL championship title /

John John Florence's journey to the 2016 WSL championship title

Gold Coast

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Kirstin Scholtz/WSL

Gold Coast

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Gold Coast

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Kirstin Scholtz/WSL

Bells Beach

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Ed Sloane/WSL

Bells Beach

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Bells Beach

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Margaret River

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Ed Sloane/WSL

Margaret River

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Ed Sloane/WSL

Margaret River

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Ed Sloane/WSL

Margaret River

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Ed Sloane/WSL

Rio de Janeiro

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Morigo /WSL

Rio de Janeiro

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Morigo /WSL

Rio de Janeiro

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Fiji

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Ed Sloane/WSL

Fiji

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Fiji

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

J-Bay

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

J-Bay

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

J-Bay

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

J-Bay

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

J-Bay

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Kirstin Scholtz/WSL

J-Bay

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Kirstin Scholtz/WSL

J-Bay

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Kirstin Scholtz/WSL

J-Bay

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Kirstin Scholtz/WSL

Tahiti Pro

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Damien Poullenot/WSL

Tahiti Pro

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Tahiti Pro

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Tahiti Pro

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Tahiti Pro

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Tahiti Pro

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Hurley Pro at Trestles

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Rowland/WSL

Hurley Pro at Trestles

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Kirstin Scholtz/WSL

France

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

France

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Damien Poullenot/WSL

France

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Damien Poullenot/WSL

France

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Damien Poullenot/WSL

Peniche

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Peniche

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Peniche

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Peniche

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Kelly Cestari/WSL

Peniche

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Kelly Cestari/WSL
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Damien Poullenot/WSL
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Damien Poullenot/WSL
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Damien Poullenot/WSL

Peniche

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Damien Poullenot/WSL

Peniche

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Damien Poullenot/WSL

Peniche

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Damien Poullenot/WSL

Peniche

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Damien Poullenot/WSL

Peniche

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Damien Poullenot/WSL

Peniche

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Damien Poullenot/WSL

Published