Australian surfer Owen Wright, bronze medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, announced Tuesday that he will end his professional career after Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, the venue for the World Surfing League (WSL), in April.
After more than a decade competing on the world circuit, Wright, 33, will say goodbye to professional surfing at ‘home’ in Bells Beach, Australia, from April 10-20, after consulting with his family, coaches and the medical team.
“Given my recent history of head injuries and concussions, it is not in my long-term interest to continue competing in some of the toughest waves on the planet. The associated risks are too great for someone with my medical history,” said Australian Surfer , quoted in a WSL statement.
Owen Wright was in an accident while surfing in Hawaii in December 2015, suffering brain injuries that forced him to relearn how to walk as well as surf, only returning to WSL competition in 2017.
Subsequently, the Australian would win the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which took place in 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, beating Brazilian Gabriel Medina in the fight for the last place on the podium.
In the modality’s debut at the Olympic Games, the Brazilian Ítalo Ferreira won gold, while the Japanese Kanoa Igarashi took silver.
Source: TSF
