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Mikey Wright awarded wildcard, Kelly Slater out of Margaret River Pro

HE’S back and set to cause more waves. Australian surfer Mikey Wright will surf at the Margaret River Pro this week but missing will be Kelly Slater for the third time this year

Mikey Wright is the wildcard at the Margaret River Pro.
Mikey Wright is the wildcard at the Margaret River Pro.

He’s back and set to cause more waves.

Australian surfer Mikey Wright has been awarded his second wildcard of the year and will surf at the Margaret River Pro this week.

Mikey Wright turned heads at the Quiksilver Pro.
Mikey Wright turned heads at the Quiksilver Pro.

The youngest brother of the famous Wright surfing clan, which includes world No. 4 Owen and two time world champion Tyler, caused a buzz at the recent Quiksilver Pro with his giant-killing ways.

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Wright earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous men in surfing when he took down a pair of world champions in reigning titleholder John John Florence and 2015 champion Gabriel Medina in the world tour opener as a wildcard inclusion.

While Wright is in, 11-time world champion Kelly Slater is out.

Mikey Wright has the moves to be on the world tour in 2019.
Mikey Wright has the moves to be on the world tour in 2019.

Slater’s bid for another world crown is now pretty much over with his absence from his third event of the year with an ongoing foot injury.

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Slater will be replaced in the line-up by Miguel Pupo.

Australians Stephanie Gilmore and Julian Wilson enter the event as the No. 1 ranked athletes in the world.

Brazilian Italo Ferreira, who thwarted Mick Fanning’s dream of a fourth Rip Curl Pro win, shares the No. 1 ranking with Wilson.

Originally published as Mikey Wright awarded wildcard, Kelly Slater out of Margaret River Pro

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/more-sports/mikey-wright-awarded-wildcard-kelly-slater-out-of-margaret-river-pro/news-story/3b90acc9472fd70a8f1a7dd1e35dedb8