Fierro answered in kind with her own 9.63 ride in response to claim a thrilling semi-final, going on to down Costa Rican Brissa Hennessy in the final.

The 24-year-old Tahitian does not compete on the Championship Tour but has been described as “the most barrelled woman in the world” in surfing circles given her prowess at Teahupo’o and in waves of consequence.

She has qualified for Paris 2024 and given her form and local knowledge at Teahupo’o, is regarded as a genuine medal contender, particularly the bigger and heavier the wave gets.

“Thank you to [WSL Commissioner] Jessi (Myley Dyer) for trusting the women because we were more than capable out there,” Fierro said after her historic win.

“It’s just insane. Thank you Teahupo’o, you’re so special, and thank you for sending me the best waves of my life… Teahupo’o is for the women after all.”

Australia’s Molly Picklum fell to Fierro in a slow quarter-final, while Tyler Wright went down at the same stage to Weston-Webb.

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Heat fixtures released on Thursday morning for the Olympics have drawn Picklum in the toughest first round - pitting the 21-year-old up against Weston-Webb and American prodigy Caity Simmers when the world’s best surfers return in July.

With swell continuing to build throughout the day, excellent nine-point rides from Americans Cole Houshmand, Crosby Colapinto and Jake Marshall, Hawaiian Barron Mamiya amd as Moroccan Ramzi Boukhiam made for an incredible day’s surfing when the men hit the water.

Australian and defending Tahiti Pro champion Jack Robinson was a shock casualty on Thursday, going down in a tense heat to good friend and travelling companion Yago Dora (Brazil) despite producing scores of 8.03 and 7.87.

Tahitian local wildcard Mihimana Braye delivered another boilover as well when he eliminated world No.1 Griffin Colapinto to advance to the round of 16.