Perfect day for Owen Wright as Ryan Callinan slips out of top 10 world ranking
Owen Wright has won the Tahiti Pro but that’s had an impact on Newcastle surfer Ryan Callinan’s world ranking.
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Owen Wright has leapfrogged Ryan Callinan into the position of leading Australian on the World Surf League with a perfect 10 and then a thrilling win over defending champion Gabriel Medina at the Tahiti Pro on Thursday.
Wright, who won his first Tahiti Pro at age 29, is now also the only Australian surfer in the top 10 after Callinan, Julian Wilson and Wade Carmichael were early casualties at Teahupo’o earlier this week.
Following his early demise Callinan has dropped two places to be ranked 11th alongside Wilson.
Man of the moment Wright, who took down world champion Medina 17.07 to 14.93 in Thursday’s final, has vaulted four places to be ranked eighth overall.
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The world rankings take on an extra importance this year with the leading two Australian men and women in the top 10 qualifying for next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
Wright posted a perfect 10 in his quarter-final against Brazilian Jadson Andre which earned him on water applause from his rival.
Medina has also posted a perfect score in an earlier heat win.
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