sport news Aussie surfing champion Owen Wright quits the sport due to concussions after ... trends now

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Having fought his way back from a brain injury to win Olympic bronze, Owen Wright has announced his retirement from competitive surfing, saying he no longer wants to risk his health.

The 33-year-old isn't competing on this year's World Surf League (WSL) tour after failing to qualify but has been granted a wildcard into the upcoming Bells Beach classic which will be his swansong.

With surfing making its Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2021, his bronze medal capped an inspirational comeback after a shattering wipe-out at Hawaii's Pipeline in 2015 left Wright with a severe head injury.

He had to learn to walk and surf again, rejoining the top tour in 2017 and winning his first event back, on the Gold Coast, before topping the podium again in 2019 in Tahiti.