Wright sends world champ out of Quiksilver Pro

AUSTRALIAN wildcard Mikey Wright has set up a Quiksilver Pro third-round battle with Gabriel Medina after toppling two-time defending world champion John John Florence on the Gold Coast.

Wright will look to continue his giant-killing ways today against Brazil’s 2014 world champion after his upset of the Hawaiian yesterday morning.

Florence’s second-round exit marked the first time since 1991 that the defending men’s world champion had been ejected at the earliest stage of the season’s opening event.

Initial plans to hold the men’s third round yesterday were put on hold, with only second-round heats completed amid a solid Snapper Rocks swell.

Florence had no answer to the variety and power of the 21-year-old from NSW, who combined 7.83 and 7.27 rides.

Medina then won his elimination heat, setting up a battle with the younger brother of defending Quiksilver Pro champion Owen Wright.

Florence had lost his first round heat on Sunday at the World Surf League seasonopener, something he avoided during his successful 2017 campaign.

The shock result followed the run of surprises in Monday’s Roxy Pro quarter-finals with Wright’s sister Tyler and fellow former world cham- pions Stephanie Gilmore and Carissa Moore all losing.

Further star power was lost on Monday when 11-time world champion Kelly Slater withdrew, citing foot soreness.

The women’s Roxy Pro resumes today with Lakey Peterson (US) against Hawaii’s Malia Manuel and Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons v Keely Andrew in semi-finals.