Mikey Wright goes from mullet-man to world champion slayer

HE is well-known for having one of the best — or worst, depending on your taste — mullets in Australian sport but now Mikey Wright will be best known for causing the biggest upset in world surfing this year.

Mikey Wright has caused the upset of 2018 with his defeat of John John Florence.

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HE is well-known for having one of the best — or worst, depending on your taste — mullets in Australian sport but now Mikey Wright will be better known for causing the biggest upset in world surfing this year.

The youngest member of surfing’s most successful families has claimed his own slice of the limelight after knocking a defending world champion out of the season opener for the first time in almost three decades.

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Wright took down two-time champion John John Florence in the elimination second round as world champion sister Tyler and defending Quiksilver Pro brother Owen watched on.

“I wasn’t feeling the pressure. I just tried to treat it like any old heat,’’ Wright said.

Mikey Wright, well known for his mullett, has caused the upset of 2018 with his defeat of John John Florence

The 21-year-old has worked overtime on his surfing in the lead-up to being awarded a wildcard for the world tour opener on the Gold Coast.

But he refused to be drawn on how he has found his new which also saw him win the men’s event at the Surfest tournament at Newcastle last month.

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“It’s a secret,’’ he said.

“But I’ve also just trying to have fun and doing the work I need to get better.’’

One of five siblings, the instigator of the biggest upset of the year is hoping to join older sister Tyler, 23, and brother Owen, 28, on the world tour full-time by next year.

Mikey Wright in action at the Quiksilver Pro. Pic: WSL

While Wright has the moves to get on tour next year, Joel Parkinson showed why he remains on tour at 36 with the highest heat total of the day (17.03) in his win in the elimination second round.

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“I really didn't know if I still had my heart in it a couple of days ago but then I got the nervous energy back and I think I showed today I can still compete,’’ said Parkinson, whose close mate Mick Fanning retires after the next event at Bells Beach.