Australian surf champion Mick Fanning's shocked mother feared she had lost another son after he was attacked by a huge shark in South Africa, with the sport's top names also left shaken Monday by the terrifying close call. The 34-year-old was competing in the final heat of a world tour event at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa's Eastern Cape province on Sunday when a looming black fin appeared behind him. In a churn of water and spray, Fanning, a triple world champion, was knocked off his board as he battled to fend off the animal in images being shown live.