Portland (OR), .- The professional American surfer Vincent “Sunny” Garcia was hospitalized urgently Tuesday for reasons that are still unknown and is in an intensive care room at a hospital in Portland, Oregon.
Born in Hawaii in 1970, the athlete, known as “The Legend of Surfing”, was found unconscious today at his home in Portland.
Some local media and people close to the athlete have suggested that the cause of their admission to intensive care has been an attempt at suicide.
Garcia, who has suffered severe depression for the past 20 years, has always been open about this condition. In 2004 he stated in his social networks that “depression is no joke”.
More recently he expressed on Twitter feeling “bad” and wrote: “Wake up ready to face the world, to feel bad in two hours wondering what happens to me”.
“I know that I am not alone in life and I have no reason to feel how I feel …” Garcia added.
The World Surfing League (WSL) today showed its support for the athlete’s family and loved ones on their Twitter account, stating that “Sunny has always been a great champion of surfing, both outside and inside. of the water”.
On the other hand, one of his closest friends, the eleven times world champion in surfing and his compatriot, Kelly Slater, immediately wrote a few words on Instagram.
“I love you, brother, I just can not assimilate it,” Slater posted on this social network.
“We have a lot more to live before we finish, there have been difficult times, but also many good times, praying that you wake up and have more of you,” Slater added.
Garcia, born in Honolulu in 1970, grew up in the city of Waianae, but perfected his talent in Makaha before leaving high school, to join the “World Tour” in 1985.
He remained a decorated veteran for two decades in a row before retiring in 2005.
He still holds the record for winning the highest number (six) of “Vans Triple Crown of Surfing”, a competition of three extreme surfing events; the last time achieved in 2004.
This is the possibly most coveted trophy in sport next to the world title, which García also won in 2000.
In 2010, this athlete was included in the Surf Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, California, before being chosen to be part of the Hawaiian Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
García has also appeared in more than 75 surf movies, television shows and videos (EFEUSA)
