Owen Wright has withdrawn from the opening half of the 2016 Championship Tour season, citing ongoing rehabilitation following his December head injury at the Billabong Pipe Masters.
"It's disappointing to have to withdraw from the opening events of the year, but the important thing is to ensure that I am 100% healthy for when I return to that level of competition," Wright said. "I've been working regularly with top specialists in the country and they've given me a lengthy rehabilitation time before I'm able to feel normal again and a period of time after that before they're confident I can perform at the elite level without additional risk. Head injuries are tricky in terms of mapping out recovery time and it's possible that I may not be able to pull the jersey on all year. I want to thank my family, friends, fans, sponsors and the WSL for their ongoing support."
Before suffering his injury, Wright looked in form to contend for the 2015 Title at the Billabong Pipe Masters.
A difficult decision no doubt for the 2015 World Title contender, Wright suffered a serious concussion ahead of the final event of the season, at the world famous Banzai Pipeline. During a warmup session Wright was mowed down by a sizable wave on the morning of December 10, the impact causing a serious head trauma. He was ultimately forced to withdraw from both the event and the Title race, remaining under medical observation in Hawaii before traveling back to Australia to receive ongoing treatment.
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Owen Wright made history during the 2015 Fiji Pro with not one, but two perfect heats (20.00 points total). His feat began when he tackled this cavernous wave in the first five minutes of his Round 5 heat. He wowed the channel, the commentators, and the judges, who were unanimous in scoring the performance a perfect 10. Click on the right to see the other three 10-point-rides.
- WSL / Stephen Robertson
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Just when it looked like Wright couldn't increase his score any further with an 8.93 and perfect 10, he did the unthinkable and added another perfect 10. Wright carved his name into history during Round 5.
- WSL / Kirstin
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Wright looked dangerous in the Final. With a 9.60 already locked in, the Aussie logged significant tube time for a perfect 10, his third of the event.
- WSL / Kirstin
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Wright then backed up his first 10 with a second, stamping his name into the surfing history books.
- WSL / Kirstin
A standout wildcard performer even before his elite Tour debut, Wright's CT rise has been nothing short of meteoric. The Australian has been a consistent fixture at the top of the rankings, posting major wins in New York, Tahiti and Fiji. Unfortunately, today's announcement is not the first injury that Wright has suffered as a back issue saw the goofyfooter sit out most of 2013. Having recovered in sensational fashion once already in his career, supporters are hopeful that he will do so once again.
Owen Wright in France last season. - WSL / Poullenot/Aquashot
"Very sad to see someone of Owen's caliber suffer such serious injury," Kieren Perrow, WSL Commissioner, said. "The important thing is that he's on the road to recovery and taking the appropriate time to ensure that he is 100% before returning to competition. While it's unfortunate news for the sport and its fans, we're fully supportive of Owen taking the time he needs and wish him a full and speedy recovery."
Wright's WSL Top 34 position in the opening events of the season - Gold Coast, Bells Beach, Margaret River, Rio de Janeiro, Fiji and Jeffreys Bay - will be filled by first replacement Adam Melling.
Make no mistake, Owen Wright will be back and until then enjoy some of his highlights from outside a jersey. Video: Rip Curl
Owen Wright Withdraws from First Half of 2016 Season
WSL
Owen Wright has withdrawn from the opening half of the 2016 Championship Tour season, citing ongoing rehabilitation following his December head injury at the Billabong Pipe Masters.
"It's disappointing to have to withdraw from the opening events of the year, but the important thing is to ensure that I am 100% healthy for when I return to that level of competition," Wright said. "I've been working regularly with top specialists in the country and they've given me a lengthy rehabilitation time before I'm able to feel normal again and a period of time after that before they're confident I can perform at the elite level without additional risk. Head injuries are tricky in terms of mapping out recovery time and it's possible that I may not be able to pull the jersey on all year. I want to thank my family, friends, fans, sponsors and the WSL for their ongoing support."
A difficult decision no doubt for the 2015 World Title contender, Wright suffered a serious concussion ahead of the final event of the season, at the world famous Banzai Pipeline. During a warmup session Wright was mowed down by a sizable wave on the morning of December 10, the impact causing a serious head trauma. He was ultimately forced to withdraw from both the event and the Title race, remaining under medical observation in Hawaii before traveling back to Australia to receive ongoing treatment.
A standout wildcard performer even before his elite Tour debut, Wright's CT rise has been nothing short of meteoric. The Australian has been a consistent fixture at the top of the rankings, posting major wins in New York, Tahiti and Fiji. Unfortunately, today's announcement is not the first injury that Wright has suffered as a back issue saw the goofyfooter sit out most of 2013. Having recovered in sensational fashion once already in his career, supporters are hopeful that he will do so once again.
"Very sad to see someone of Owen's caliber suffer such serious injury," Kieren Perrow, WSL Commissioner, said. "The important thing is that he's on the road to recovery and taking the appropriate time to ensure that he is 100% before returning to competition. While it's unfortunate news for the sport and its fans, we're fully supportive of Owen taking the time he needs and wish him a full and speedy recovery."
Wright's WSL Top 34 position in the opening events of the season - Gold Coast, Bells Beach, Margaret River, Rio de Janeiro, Fiji and Jeffreys Bay - will be filled by first replacement Adam Melling.
Owen Wright
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The 10th stop on tour and the final proving ground as the world's best look to clinch their spots in the Rip Curl WSL Finals. Take a look
Owen Wright is eliminated from competition, in the process ending his career. Nevertheless, Owen is chaired up the beach in celebratory
The longtime CT icon Owen Wright kicked off his retirement from pro surfing with an Opening Round win over 2022 World Champ, Filipe Toledo,
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
Few will forget the Australian underdog who set the Quiksilver Pro ablaze riding newfangled equipment.
Watch the semifinals and final of the Quiksilver Pro on CBS Sports Network May 2nd at 8pm PT/11pm ET.
An inside look at what goes on behind the scenes at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro.
The Californian says he's matured after a few rough years on tour, and it showed at the Quiksilver Pro.
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