John John out of Uluwatu
Overnight came confirmation that John John tweaked his knee in Bali and will pull out of the Uluwatu Pro. John was due to surf his Round 3 heat against Mikey Wright - again! - so the wildcard will get a walk through and further solidify his chance of a Top 22 finish.
The reigning world champ, John John has had an abysmal start to 2018 currently sitting at equal 21st. It's been suggested John John should bung on the injury caper, claim he's not 100%, take some time off, maybe even chase a few XXL swells, then put his hand out for one of the injury wildcards next year.
After all, the precedent has been set.
However, John's confirmation post on IG runs counter to that:
This year has been so much fun regardless of my results. Through some of the tough losses I've learned more than I have in the past couple years. That’s why I love competing — the chance to learn is always there, win or lose. I love the drive to win you get from a loss. I feel like I’m more driven to win than ever from this year.
Unfortunately I hurt my knee during a freesurf here in Bali, and I have to pull out of the next event to get back and heal up as quickly as possible. I was trying bottom turns in the yard last night to see if there is any way for me to possibly surf this event, but nothing about it felt right. Haha!
I think it’s best I heal 100% before I get back in the water. When I was a little kid I watched my favorite surfers winning events and trying big airs and big maneuvers and dreamed of doing those things. I will never lose that. I’m excited for everything to come. I hope to come out of this injury smarter and more excited than I have ever been.
Comments
Good on you John, refreshing honesty and no desire to take the piss with the injury ploy as it appears others may have done in the past
'others' = that bald guy
Maybe the GOAT could learn a thing or two from his former protégé?
cant help but feel a little responsible for this, since i put him on my fantasy team he's had no luck.
You, me and probs 90% of everybody else more than likely had him on our teams amb.
We're all responsible.
On another note, another websites comment section is really talking up the Zeke Lau incident as having rattled him. Personally, I'm doubtful about that.
I think im also responsible for Wilko having a bad year...After this event im taking him, JJF & all my favorite (aussies) surfers out of my team and filling with the Zeke Lau types.
Im doubtful too, they were all slow heats with few waves, everyone seems to have forgotten that
Agree 100 percent. He is still surfing as good as he ever has . How were some of those airs in the clip !
Beachgrit
I think that's the best Lien air I have ever seen done on a surfboard...
More interesting is who the wsl are gonna hand injury wildcards to at the end of the year. Caiio ibelli and jjf who have legitimate injuries or kelly fudge'n it slater who theoretically was fit enough to surf the last two events but didn't feel like it. Making you wonder is slats more mentally injured 'doesn't feel like it' than physically. Considering jules was physically injured but mentally ready and was world number one
Totally agree. Wonder what will happen though?
Maybe Slater will return for Jbay ?
There is no way Kelly can get a injury wild cad for the 2019 season and the WSL retain any integrity. It would be a massive insult to up and coming and future athletes.
I’d say Kelly has already been told privately that he is assured an injury wildcard. He and JJ will get them because WSL is a business, not a sport
Hit the nail on the head right there. Pro surfing is a joke.
Medina apparently has injured his knee freesurfing at Uluwatu.
Video on stab Instagram lands very awkwardly looks like his knee buckled
Isn't that how MF tore his hamstring? Looks nasty. Fingers crossed he's ok.
@parallelsea's insta story showed double john in a large knee brace on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. Getting scans over here assume, fingers crossed that ACL is still intact!
Hope its not a meniscus injury it can take months to mend, best of luck ma man hope to see you in the sky some time soon .......
Months? Bone bruises are not fun.
Years for some knee injuries.
I for one would love to see Stu Kennedy back on tour, he like many have surfed out of his skin but got dropped, what a shame he's super talented and should have got through.
Have another crack dude !!!
Dear John John: You sent KellySlater into trying harder and retirement, he just has not realized it yet. Good work, you take all the time off you need to heal up. Will be waiting for your return.
Not sure if JJ has enough mongrel in him to take another title anyway as all the other guys are stepping it up big time.