After claiming the scalp of reigning world champion Stephanie Gilmore, India Robinson will continue her quest to regain World Championship Tour status in Sydney this week.
The 22-year-old overcame eight-time world champion Gilmore in the semi-finals of the Challenger Series event at Snapper Rocks in the biggest win of her career.
She then went on to down American Sawyer Lindblad in the final.
It was sweet revenge for Robinson, who was beaten by Gilmore in her final two CT events in 2022 at her home break at Bells Beach and at the Margaret River Pro.
The surfers, including Australian Olympian Sally Fitzgibbons who was beaten by Lindblad in the final four at the opening event, will next compete at Narrabeen with the competition window opening Wednesday.
Robinson, from Torquay, missed the mid-season cut last year and previously battled ongoing serious concussion symptoms after two head knocks which threatened her career.
“After I fell off the tour last year, I gave up my spot on the Challenger Series to focus on my health,” Robinson said.
“I spent a lot of time here surfing at Snapper during my recovery and I guess it all paid off.
“I’m so grateful for my support crew, I wouldn’t be here without them all.”
Brazil’s Samuel Pupo leads the men’s Challenger Series rankings after his victory in Queensland.
Pupo was named 2022 CT rookie of the year after finishing the year as world No.10 and only missed the mid-season cut this year by one spot.