The Margaret River-raised surfer beat three-time world champion Gabriel Medina of Brazil earlier on Tuesday (AEST) to claim a place in showpiece final.

But he fell 17.67 to 7.83 in the decider to the popular Vaast, who grew up kilometres from Teahupo’o, first riding the infamous break at age eight.

Vaast’s victory will be richly celebrated in French Polynesia, which is hosting the Olympic surfing about 15,700 kilometres from Paris.

In calmer conditions than earlier in the tournament, Vaast uncovered the best waves and surfed two long barrels in two minutes, scoring a mighty 9.50 and 8.17.

Robinson replied with a 7.83 barrel run of his own, but needing a 9.84 to overtake Vaast, he couldn’t find wave worthy of an attempt.

Earlier in the competition, he produced the one of the highest-scoring waves of the Olympics – a 9.87 barrel ride during an early heat – and knocked out world No.1 John John Florence in the round-of-16.

Robinson also defeated countryman Ethan Ewing in an all-Aussie quarter-final before waiting out three lay days up to the high-stakes Tuesday.

By beating Medina and winning silver, he produced Australia’s best result in Olympic surfing, after Owen Wright won bronze at the discipline’s first Games in Tokyo 2021.

Medina recovered to win the bronze medal in Tahiti, three years after he lost the previous bronze medal match to Wright.

– AAP