In life and in competition Mick has faced some monumental hurdles. In 1998, when he was 16 and his career was just taking off, his older brother Sean was killed in a car accident. Sean was just 18 at the time and was also an aspiring pro surfer. Sean and Mick often spoke about doing the tour together and challenging each other and the best surfers in the world for a title. Although he was completely heartbroken after the death of his brother Mick stayed true to their dream and continued on his rise as a professional surfer.In 2002 Mick finished in the top five in his rookie year on the ASP World Tour and was moving closer to the number one spot each season when in 2004 tragedy struck again. While on a photo trip to Indonesia Mick tore his hamstring off the bone when he fell trying to execute a critical maneuver. Doctors were unsure whether he would ever fully recover. To repair the horrific tear Mick underwent major surgery. A steel grappling hook was drilled into a bone in the back of his leg to hold his hamstring in place. After six months of intense rehabilitation Mick was finally able to get back on a surfboard again.A committed training regime saw Mick miraculously return to form and start winning events once again. Although he recovered well from the career threatening injury one of his greatest challenges was still ahead of him. For 15 years Kelly Slater has dominated professional surfing. He is, quite simply, the greatest surfer of all time. Since Kelly won his first world title in 1992 no Australian had beaten him for the World Title. In 2007 Mick changed that. After winning the first event Mick put together one of the most impressive competitive seasons of all time. He won three events, finished runner-up in one and made four semi finals.In 2008 he struggled with the extra media attention of being a world champion and suffered a mid-season groin injury. He slipped to eighth position on the end of year ratings. In 2009 Mick Fanning has his sights firmly set on the number one position again but with Kelly Slater gunning for a 10th title and a line-up of contenders including Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow and Bede Durbidge eager to claim a maiden crown, Mick has his work cut out' but that's just the way he likes it! Stay tuned to mickfanning.com for updates.