Australian-born surfer Connor O\’Leary has confirmed his inclusion in the Japan team for the Paris 2024 Olympics after officially switching his allegiance to his mother’s home country in 2023.
O\’Leary, who grew up in Cronulla, South Sydney, was granted the third men’s spot by the Nippon Surfing Association following a qualification event win at Huntington Beach in 2022.
Most teams are limited to two male and two female surfers for the Olympics.
\”So excited to officially announce that I will be representing Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Thank you to the NSA & the JOC for the incredible opportunity. Tahiti here we come,\” O\’Leary shared on Instagram.
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O’Leary, known for his prowess in challenging tube waves, such as those at Teahupo’o in Tahiti, will be a valuable addition to the Japan team, which includes Kanoa Igarashi and Reo Inaba, both of whom won medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Shino Matsuda is the sole female surfer to qualify for Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Last year, the 30-year-old O’Leary finished 11th on the world championship tour, just behind Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing who secured spots on the Australian Olympic team.
O’Leary is fluent in Japanese and has proudly represented Japan on the world tour, where he currently holds the fifth rank after strong performances in Hawaii.
Reflecting on his decision to switch allegiance, O’Leary mentioned the challenges he faced growing up in Cronulla, especially during the 2005 racial tensions, and how he now embraces his multicultural identity.
\”I spent a lot of time in my youth trying to suppress my Japanese heritage to fit in with Australian culture and school life,\” he told SBS Japanese last year. \”As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate the uniqueness of being Australian and Japanese, and I want to celebrate that.\”
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Reuters
