Canadian Para surfer Victoria Feige makes history by winning 4th world title

Canada's Victoria Feigebecame the winningest woman in Para surfing history on Saturday, capturing gold at the 2022Para surfing world championshipfor her fourth straight world title.

The 37-year-old from Vancouvertopped the podium in thewomen's kneel division atthe International Surfing Association (ISA)event in Pismo Beach, Calif.,becoming the most decorated women's Para surfer of all time.

Feigewon every competition this year leading up to the world championship, including theHawaiiadaptive surfingchampionships in June and the English adaptive surfing openin July in Bristol, England. She has been surfing for Team Canada since 2016.

"Incredible feeling," Feige wrote on Instagram after winning the historic gold medalin California.

She also thanked Canadian national surf team head coach Shannon Brown and fellow coachAlbie Sears for helping her reach the top.

Vancouver's Ling Pai also reached the podium on Saturday with a bronze medal in the women's visually impaired division.

Feige is no stranger to historic firsts, as she is also the first clinical physiotherapist in North America who uses a wheelchair. She worked as a specialized physiotherapist for a decade after earningher master's degreein 2012, but has taken a break to focus on Para surfing.

While Para surfing won't be at the Paris Paralympics in 2024, the ISA is pushing for the sport to make its debutat the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, with a decision expected next month.Able-bodied surfing made its Olympic debut last year in Tokyo.

The future looks bright for Para surfing, as Saturday's finals saw seven new world championscrowned.

"Seeing new generations of athletes fills my heart with happiness. Now let's wait for the news. More than ever I believe Para surfing belongs in the Paralympics," ISA presidentFernando Aguerre said.