Surfer returns to site of scary shark attack and wins championship

Published Jul. 16, 2016 7:49 p.m. ET

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Surfer Mick Fanning's escape from a shark attack became a viral video last year, and this week he returned to the site of his brush with death —€” and beat the competition to win the J-Bay Open.

The 35-year-old Australian won the final Saturday at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. But first Fanning had to beat a bad case of nerves.

"The first thing to overcome actually was just getting out there and not being so petrified," said Fanning, who won the event for the fourth time in his career.

The past year was a hard one for Fanning, who endured the death of his brother and separation from his wife. Getting his first win of the season, in such an emotional setting, was "really special," he said.

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