SA Tokyo Olympics medal winner Bianca Buitendag RETIRES!

Team South Africa’s Tokyo Olympics silver medal-winning star in women’s surfing, Bianca Buitendag, has hung up her surfboard.

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Buitendag was in red-hot form throughout the inaugural Olympic surfing competition, eliminated a host of higher-seeded opponents en route to booking her spot in Tuesday’s final.

Sadly, she fell at the final hurdle, going down to American Carissa Moore in a final blighted by poor surf conditions.

Buitendag, 27, hails from Victoria Bay on the Garden Route.

On Wednesday, Bianca Buitendag posted an emotional tribute on Facebook to her late father and detailed her reasons for calling time on her career.

READ | WHO IS BIANCA BUITENDAG? 6 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SA’S OLYMPIC HERO

That marks the end of a phenomenal chapter in my life.

What a way to cross the finish line!

The Olympics was the last time I put on that colorful contest rashie.

Ever since my father passed away, my life’s ambitions have changed drastically, and my heart quickly moved away from chasing heat scores. It has been over 5 years since, enough time to respect all the commitments I have made, to my beautiful country, myself and many others.

The Olympics has coincidentally acted as the perfect opportunity for closure.

I will, however, never stop rushing towards saltwater at every opportunity.

The sea is my therapy, the place I feel closest to heaven.

I want to thank each and every one who has shared in this ‘colourful’ season with me over the last decade.

I have had one hell of a ride, of which it is the life long friendships that I cherish most. It was all worth it, only for knowing you.

Most importantly – although I like to believe that I’m tough and independent, I want to acknowledge my Heavenly Father, who has held my hand tightly through all these years – through the dark and scary. He has been my best friend, my closest companion.

Ever since my first contest at 8 years old, my last sentence before every heat has been, “Father, I trust you, have your way.” After all these years, I can confidently stand knowing that His will did, indeed, prevail.

This medal goes out to my mom, who beat two cancers in one year – and to those who fight for the daily victories no one sees. You deserve a silver and gold, not me.