"I’m choosing to represent my family's heritage, and my cultural background."
Lots happening, right now, on the word stage. Yevgeny Prigozhin’s presumed death in Russia opened multiple questions. Who will lead his Wagner Group moving forward and will the fiercely loyal fighters protest or fall in line under reported new commander Anton “Lotus” Yelizorv? China’s economic growth has slowed down leading to an implosion of its real estate markets. Is there a possible upside for the west? The Spanish soccer federation’s chief, Luis Rubiales, has been suspended for kissing star Jenni Hermoso after La Roja took out the women’s World Cup. Will he argue that, as a Spaniard, kissing whatever, whenever is a national right? And that Jenni’s last name is beautiful?
Getting most attention, though, is the shock defection of the world’s current 11th best surfer, Connor O’Leary, from Australia to Japan.
The 29-year-old goofy footer announced the move on Instagram, writing:
I‘m excited to announce that in 2024 I will be representing Japan on the WSL World Tour.
I will also seek representation for Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympics by competing in the next ISA World Surfing Games.
After much reflection and consideration I am choosing Japan. I’m choosing to represent my family’s heritage, and my cultural background.
The decision was made internally back in October 2022 and it has been a challenging process to complete the transfer of nations.
I am happy it is final and i can officially share it with you all.
It feels right so Lets go!!
Excited for what’s to come.
Kanoa Igarashi, who defected from Huntington Beach, California to Japan nearly four years ago and won silver for the Land of the Rising Sun in the 2020 Olympics did not react though many surf luminaries did.
Italy’s Leo Fioravanti wrote, “Yes bro, great decision.
Indonesia’s Rio Waida added, “Yesssss Connor san!”
Australia’s Jackson Baker swore, “Fucken oath bruva,” in unintelligible English, likely very angry about the betrayal.
The 2024 Olympics, as you know, will be held in the very scary waves of Teahupo’o on Tahiti. As O’Leary is currently ranked above Igarashi, does this mean he has now qualified and Igarashi has not?
Not that I care.
I’m mostly sad, I suppose, that defections aren’t fun like they used to be. The great Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev, for example, made a dramatic splash when he fled his KGB handlers while in Paris and ran into the arms of the French at Charles de Gaulle. Going on Instagram and pledging new allegiance such a snooze.
I’m BIG in Japan!
If Leo is ok with it I’m defecting to surf for Sardinia
I like Connor, he’s a breath of fresh air – but I wish him (& the others) just play it straight & say “I wanna go to the Olympics & this is the only chance I have of doing it!
Matthew Pitts?
He’s doubling up in Sumo
Thought historically there’s always been a few gath-wearing japanese pipe chargers? Could they have a real shot at teahupoo? Guess we’ll never know.
Ok I’m not good enough to get in the Australian Olympic team next year if ever. So let’s hoist the flag of convenience and let the midnight sun shine down on me.
If you can finish top 50 in next year’s world surfing games you’re in with a chance for the “universal” place!
Was at small Medewi beachies last spring and a leashless guy was killing it. Asked him where he was from and he said Japan. Have no idea where he was in the surf ecosystem there, but the sample size of 1 suggested to me that Japan has some major talent at QS level and possibly CT. Dude was lighting it up. Super humble, too. (Im not counting Huntington Kanoa as Japanese.)
Reo Inaba already qualifued for Japan and will go to the olympics.
This is all because japan won a third spot due to winning the world surfing games at HB last year.
I thought Reo was Indonesian.
Thats rio waida.
Japan has to nominate a “third surfer” due to winning the 2022 world surfing games and quinoa and reo inaba qualifying via other means.
Basically this cunt will be despised by the japs for being half caste but gets a free ticket to the orimpics.
Guaranteed this guy wouldn’t change his nationality if quinoa finished lower in the CT and took the “noc” spot instead.
Pays less tax, smart move
I need to watch some GG Allin after seeing this.
When a gold digger smells Gold, or silver for that matter, anything goes. Whatever it take “let’s Go”.
Kelly to represent Syria next
Have you seen any?
Complete cunts
Exactly.
Ramp up the meth like back in the forties
Insult to Aus for defecting and an insult to Japan thinking he’s better than all the real Japs
Pissweak this country changing stuff
It will be Vaast, Florence and Robinson on the podium. O’Leary* san has no chance.
A gender transition would have been the move I reckon.