Stephanie Gilmore has etched her name into the history books, claiming a record eighth women's surfing world title.
The 34-year-old defeated Hawaii's Carissa Moore at the World Surf League finals in San Clemente, California to overtake compatriot Layne Beachley's mark of seven world titles.
In a best-of-three-heat title match, Gilmore claimed heat one with a score of 15 to Moore's 10.90, before posting a 15.23 in heat two, wrapping up the championship after Moore scored 11.97.
A record-breaking moment! 🏄♀️@Steph_gilmore is an eight-time surfing world champion! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3SHhdPFNuw
— 7Sport (@7Sport) September 8, 2022
Gilmore, who had come into the finals as the fifth seed, defeated Brisa Hennessy, Tatiana Weston-Webb and Johanne Defay to set up the title showdown with five-time world champion and Olympic gold medal winner Moore.
The Murwillumbah product adds the 2022 world title to her 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2018 gongs.
After a slow start to the season, Gilmore reflected on her achievement.
"This has been a challenge for sure. It feels like the shortest season but the longest year of my life," Gilmore said.
"To start with such a shocker at Pipeline, to miss it and to have a bad one at Sunset and just kind of crawl my way back into the cart.
"It's just unbelievable and I was thinking out there, 'Whatever happens, happens.'
"I'm really proud that I was able to make it past Brisa, Tatiana, Johanne, all of the most incredible female surfers in the world and to be able to make it to the final against Carissa, who in my mind, she's the real world champ this year.
"She had such a stellar year, she had so many wonderful performances and I'm so inspired by what she does... She really is the greatest of all time in my opinion."
In a change for 2022, the world champion would be crowned after a single event featuring the top five surfers on the tour rankings.
The number one seed would automatically qualify for the title match, while the fifth-ranked surfer would have to go through three head-to-head heats in order to reach the final.
Gilmore said, after initially having doubts around the new finals format, she's now changed her tune.
"I disliked this format, to be honest. I was like, the world champion should be crowned in all the different waves over the entire period of the year and now I love it!" she said.
"There really is not many words that can describe this feeling right now and that's why I now love this format.
"It puts all the pressure on you, can you do it? It's truly incredible. This is insane, I can't believe it."
On the men's tour, a first-time champion in Brazilian Felipe Toledo was crowned after he defeated 2019 winner and countryman Italo Ferreira in the final.