Olympic kite surfer on practice run hears cry for help, saves drowning woman
BRAZIL (CNN) - A woman who was pulled out to sea was saved by an Olympic kite surfer who happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Olympian Bruno Lobo, 31, says he was making a practice kite surfing run Friday to test out a new camera off the coast of Brazil’s state of Maranhao. He heard a cry for help and spotted a woman in the water.
Lobo, who competed in the Paris Games and is also an orthopedic surgeon, directed his craft to the woman and found her exhausted and struggling. He put her on his back and made his way to shore, where lifeguards were waiting to come to her aid.
“I was very surprised at that moment to see someone at that level in the sea, and when I recognized that she was drowning, I promptly went in her direction to help,” Lobo told CNN Sport. “I am very happy that there was a happy end, and she is fine! For sure if she stayed (longer) in the water, she wouldn’t be.”
The athlete later posted video of the incident to social media, highlighting the dangers of strong currents while swimming in unfamiliar waters.
He was also awarded a medal for his heroism by the governor of Maranhao.
Copyright 2025 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. Gray News contributed to this report.
