Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Owen Wright is ready to retire from skilled browsing, saying battling the “heaviest waves on the planet” was placing his “long-term well being” in danger.
The 33-year-old New South Welshmen will compete in a single last World Surf League occasion – subsequent month’s Rip Curl Professional Bells Seaside – earlier than quitting the championship tour.
“I cannot retire from browsing altogether – simply from browsing heavy waves,” Wright mentioned.
“I hope to maintain browsing for the remainder of my life; I really like browsing and thank the game for every little thing I’ve.”
Wright’s profession – and life – virtually led to 2015 when he suffered a traumatic mind harm after being worn out by the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii.
He needed to discover ways to speak, stroll and surf once more and was sidelined for 15 months.
“My need to show to myself and the world that I might nonetheless be nice and overcome this life-threatening incident impressed my restoration,” Wright mentioned.
“Now eight years later, after challenges and accomplishments, I can look again fortunately, figuring out I achieved that aim.
“(However) given my latest historical past with head accidents and concussions, competing at a few of the heaviest waves on the planet is not in the perfect curiosity of my long-term well being.
“I excelled in these situations over my profession, however the dangers related to any such browsing are too important for somebody in my place, given my medical historical past.
“The WSL and Rip Curl have provided me the wildcard at this 12 months’s Rip Curl Professional Bells Seaside. My household, medical workforce, and I agreed that this could be the proper location for me to compete for the final time earlier than hanging up the rashie.”
WSL chief govt officer Erik Logan mentioned Wright – who received 4 occasions on the WSL’s championship tour – had been a “true ambassador” for browsing.
“We’ll drastically miss his presence on the tour,” Logan mentioned.
“We want him all the perfect in his future pursuits and sit up for seeing what he accomplishes subsequent.”
Wright needs to be a “voice for mind well being” and an “advocate” for athletes who’ve suffered traumatic mind accidents and concussions.
