Olympic surfing medallist Owen Wright announces retirement to focus on 'long-term health'
The 33-year-old Australian, who overcame a life-threatening brain injury in 2015, will compete in one last World Surf League event as a wildcard at next month's Bells Beach classic.
Surfing
After over a decade of competing, Australian Olympic bronze medallist Owen Wright announced his retirement from competitive surfing on Wednesday (22 March).
The 33-year-old, who is not currently competing on the World Surf League (WSL) tour having missed the mid-season qualifying cut last year, will bid his final farewell at Bells Beach classic next month after receiving a wildcard for the stop.
Wright’s decision to step away from competing at the highest level comes after the surfer admitted he no longer wanted to risk his health competing.
In 2015, he suffered a near-fatal head injury while surfing at Hawaii’s Pipeline leaving him unable to walk or surf.
The life-threatening incident inspired Wright’s recovery and in 2017 he returned to the WSL, winning his first event back on the Gold Coast. He then returned to the podium again two years later in Tahiti.
Wright's remarkable comeback was later considered complete after he defeated Gabriel Medina for Olympic bronze at Japan’s Tsurigasaki Beach, where surfing made its Games debut.
Satisfied with all that he has accomplished in the eight years since his injury, Wright said he is taking a step back from the elite level:
“Given my recent history with head injuries and concussions, competing at some of the heaviest waves on the planet is no longer in the best interest of my long-term health,” Wright, whose sister Tyler was a two-time WSL Tour champion, said in a social media post.
“I excelled in these conditions over my career, but the risks associated with this type of surfing are too significant for someone in my position, given my medical history.
"I will not retire from surfing altogether - just from surfing heavy waves. I hope to keep surfing for the rest of my life; I love surfing and thank the sport for everything I have."
Wright added that it was his wish to continue using his platform to promote awareness surrounding traumatic brain injuries and concussions in sports:
"I hope that in this new chapter of my life, I can help be a voice for brain health and an advocate for athletes across all sports who have suffered TBIs and concussions throughout their careers."