Tyler Wright resurrects career for consecutive world titles

FIVE years ago Tyler Wright was a “burned out” child surfing prodigy, now she’s a back-to-back world champion — and Layne Beachley believes she can beat her record of six successive titles.

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FIVE years ago Tyler Wright was a “burned out” child surfing prodigy, but is now a back-to-back world champion — and the legendary Layne Beachley believes the 23-year-old can beat her record of six successive titles.

Wright yesterday clinched her second crown by making the semi-finals of the Maui Pro in Hawaii. She takes on fellow Aussie Stephanie Gilmore on Saturday for a chance to make the final and win the final event of the season.

Tyler Wright, two-time world champion at 23. Pic: WSL/Cestari

But Wright was overwhelmed when told of Beachley’s claims to the Saturday Telegraph that she could smash the record for successive world titles.

“That’s a bit of a compliment. Oh my god, wow,” Wright told the Saturday Telegraph.

“I’ve done two and have a long way to go. I love what Layne has done. She’s played such a big role in my career and I want to thank her for that.

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“I can’t believe she said that. It’s incredible. I respect Layne a lot and it’s wonderful to hear that. I don’t know what else to say.”

Wright’s world title defence, just two months after she tore 70 per cent of her MCL off the bone, earned high praise from rivals, including six-time world champion and semi-final opponent Gilmore who labelled Wright “a legend”.

Wright won her second title by progressing to the quarterfinals of the Maui Pro. Pic: WSL/Cestari

It has also enhanced Wright’s chances of being on the first Australia surfing team to compete in the Olympic arena in less than three years in Tokyo.

“After that she has certainly increased her chances of being selected to go,” said seven-time world champion Beachley, the chairwoman of Australian Surfing.

“I’m so incredibly proud of her. She is focused and committed and has devoted herself to winning and doing her best.”

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Wright won her first world title by dominating the 2016 season with five World Tour victories and riding a rollercoaster of emotion as brother Owen fought back from a brain injury sustained in a wipeout at Pipeline.

Wright has been surfing for nearly two months with a knee brace. Pic: WSL/Cestari

This year she claimed the world tour with one win — potentially two if she wins the Maui Pro — wearing a bulky brace to protect and support her injured knee and having to fend off four feisty women — Sally Fitzgibbons, Americans Courtney Conlogue and Carissa Moore, and Gilmore.

“I am over the moon. this means a lot,” said Wright, who thanked her team, coach Glenn Hall and family, including her mother who was in Hawaii to watch the title battle play out.

Wright’s two major rivals for the world crown — Fitzgibbons and Conlogue — both bowed out before the quarterfinals of the Maui Pro

This meant Wright’s victory over dangerous Hawaiian wildcard Brisa Hennessy secured her the world title with the semis and finals still to be surfed.

Experts tip more titles in her future. Pic: WSL/Cestari

“It wasn’t like last year was one and done,” Wright said. “I kind of decided in 2015 that I was going to win one every year and I wanted to hold true to that.

“This year definitely had its challenges, but I do not look at them that way.

“It was such a time of learning and growing that I took so much more from it than the knee injury itself.

“This year has just been one where I could have bowed out a lot of times but chose not to.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my team. They brought me back in from Portugal and the work they did in France was absolutely incredible.”

When competition resumes, Wright will meet Gilmore in the first semi-final with fellow Aussie Bronte Macaulay taking on Hawaiian Malia Manuel.

For more on the Maui Pro and Wright’s progress go to World Surf League