Tokyo Olympics: Owen Wright on surfing medal, mental health, Allianz ambassador with Cate Campbell
Owen Wright is a master of big waves and positive spins. Now the comeback king of surfing says he likes his chances of winning a historic Olympic medal more because of the coronavirus delay to the Games.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Never in a million years did surfer Owen Wright think he would one day be referring to his battle back from a severe head injury from a Pipeline wipeout as a “blessing in disguise’’.
That a 15-month period where he had to learn to walk again, talk again - and let his brain heal from a trauma injury which could have claimed his life - would help him deal with the stresses of having his surfing career and Olympic dream put on hold by the coronavirus pandemic.
In the wake of his recovery, Wright has learned what doesn’t break you makes you stronger.
“I feel I have had a few things that have helped me though this period....having the head injury made me ready for something like this, where things got wound back to the simple things,” said Wright, who in a pre-COVID world would have been in Japan today preparing for his first heat of the surfing event.
DRIVING FORCE: What’s motivating sailing cousins quest for gold?
DYNAMIC DUO: Chasing ‘miracle medal’
“I felt like this was a well worn track....I still felt that initial shock of everything changing so quickly, the hopes and dreams kind of disappearing.
“It’s been a blessing in disguise. It has shaped me. Covid has reminded me of that experience, of what is important, the relationships, your well being.”
Wright, who said he experienced stress and shock like most others during the lockdown, believes sharing his experiences of life’s ups and downs, his personal and public battles and his fightback is important and can help others.
“From the trauma, I have way more respect for the mental strength side of my training. For me, mental strength means riding the waves of emotion and life like I ride the waves out in the ocean.” said Wright, born and raised at the NSW south Coast at Culburra and named for Tokyo with Stephanie Gilmore, Julian Wilson and Julian Wilson.
FUNNY: Reason this French athlete is on Aussie team
HONOUR: Jess Fox’s special moment
It’s why he has joined the likes of Paralympian Madi de Rozario and swimmer Cate Campbell as an Ambassador with Allianz who have partnered with the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia on a range of mental health initiatives.
New research has revealed 67 per cent of people believe Olympians and Paralympian should speak up about mental health and 66 per cent of Australians think mental strength is more important than physical strength.
“I hope athletes keep talking about their vulnerabilities and fears because it can help inspire other people to realise they can take on challenges and not to let fear stop them,” Wright said.
“I hope athletes keep talking about their vulnerabilities and fears because it can help inspire other people to realise they can take on challenges and don’t need to let fear stop them,” he said.
“It’s very inspiring for people to realise everyone has their own fears.”
HARD YAKKA: Tokyo dream come true for team ‘baby’
SACRIFICE: Artistic Amie on flight to Tokyo
Wright, whose sister Tyler and brother Mikey are also world tour surfers, said he still experiences his own when he surfs but is now able to use it to get the best out of himself after returning to the scene of his accident to surf again.
“I think when the waves are giants I let the fear guide me, use it as a tool to guide me to the best wave,” he said.
Big waves won’t be a problem for Wright in Japan next year - it’s the lack of them that has been concerning him.
Shidashita Beach, the site of surfing, is known for its small swell, and punchy beach break, something which would normally work against the tallest surfers on the wold tour.
“I’ve had the time to reshape all my quiver to be three and half inches shorter because of the Olympics which will help,” he said.
“I’ve also been working on my airs a lot more.
“I’m really going for that medal. I will have the boards and the ability to achieve that.
“If you had asked me that question a year ago I wouldn’t be as confident.”
MORE SPORT
Originally published as Tokyo Olympics: Owen Wright on surfing medal, mental health, Allianz ambassador with Cate Campbell