Latest news with #ConnorOLeary
The Guardian
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Molly Picklum misses chance in J-Bay as Connor O'Leary claims first WSL win
The Australian star Molly Picklum has agonisingly missed out on another World Surf League triumph in South Africa, but the Australian-born goofy-footer Connor O'Leary has claimed victory in the men's final. Picklum was frustrated with herself for not riding one last wave that might have sealed a last-gasp final win over her American rival Gabriela Bryan. In the closest of showdowns, Bryan took a narrow lead in their duel at Jeffreys Bay on South Africa's Eastern Cape on Friday with just 90 seconds left, scoring 6.93 when needing a 6.68. It left Australia's WSL leader Picklum little time for a response as she looked to earn a modest score of 5.93 to seal back-to-back victories in the J-Bay after her triumph in Saquarema, Brazil, last month. But Picklum, the 22-year-old from Gosford, hesitated when looking for the ideal wave to carry her to victory, failing to grab a couple of possible chances to ride in the final minute in a bid for glory. When her time ran out to respond with what would have been her seventh effort of the final, the Australian splashed the waters in disgust at having lost the final by a mere 0.26 points, 13.60 to 13.34. Picklum's consistency means she still leads the WSL standings on 61,145 points, ahead of Hawaii's Bryan, who was lifting her third title of the season to put her on 58,595 points. In the men's event, Japan's O'Leary took out his first WSL title. The Australian-born O'Leary had the event's only 10-point ride in the semi-finals as he knocked out three-time J-Bay winner Filipe Toledo, before beating another Brazilian, world No 1 Yago Dora, in the final. O'Leary only rode three waves but racked up scores of 8.17 and 7.50 in his second and third runs, giving him a two-wave total of 15.67 of a possible 20, well clear of Dora's 14.23. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion 'All the stars aligned for this one, so I'm stoked. It felt good to have so many people cheering for me, and then to perform for them,' O'Leary said. 'I intended to do some of the best backhand surfing you've ever seen, and to compete with a fellow goofy in the final, hopefully it inspires other goofy-foot surfers that they can compete against the best in perfect right-hand point breaks.' The tour moves on to Tahiti next month, with the finals to be staged in Fiji between 27 August and 4 September. Picklum, Byran and American Caity Simmers have qualified for the women's event, while only Dora has sealed his spot in the men's competition.
Japan Times
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Japan's O'Leary beats world No. 1 Dora to take first surfing tour win
Japan's Connor O'Leary won his first World Surf League Championship Tour title at the Corona Open J-Bay in South Africa on Friday. O'Leary had the event's only 10-point ride in the semifinals as he knocked out three-time J-Bay winner Filipe Toledo, before beating another Brazilian in world No. 1 Yago Dora in the final. The Australian-born O'Leary only rode three waves but racked up scores of 8.17 and 7.50 in his second and third runs, giving him a two-wave total of 15.67 of a possible 20, well clear of Dora's 14.23. "All the stars aligned for this one, so I'm stoked. It felt good to have so many people cheering for me, and then to perform for them," said O'Leary, a goofy-footer, or one who stands with his right foot forward. "I intended to do some of the best backhand surfing you've ever seen, and to compete with a fellow goofy in the final, hopefully it inspires other goofy-foot surfers that they can compete against the best in perfect right-hand point breaks." World No. 2 Gabriela Bryan won the women's event with a hard-fought victory over Australian world No. 1 Molly Picklum, totaling 13.60 with efforts of 6.67 and 6.93 to outdo Picklum's opening 7.67. Picklum finished with a total of 13.34. "I came here early, putting in a lot of time here, and it paid off. I'm so stoked. It's been a dream of mine to win here at J-Bay. It's an iconic wave and one of my favorites in the world," Hawaii's Bryan said. The tour next heads to Tahiti. The top five men and women after the 11-stop tour will then compete for the world title in a one-day, winner-take-all final in Fiji. Picklum, Byran and Caity Simmers (U.S.) have qualified for the women's event, while only Dora has sealed his spot in the men's competition.
The Guardian
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Molly Picklum misses chance in J-Bay as Connor O'Leary claims first WSL win
The Australian star Molly Picklum has agonisingly missed out on another World Surf League triumph in South Africa, but the Australian-born goofy-footer Connor O'Leary has claimed victory in the men's final. Picklum was frustrated with herself for not riding one last wave that might have sealed a last-gasp final win over her American rival Gabriela Bryan. In the closest of showdowns, Bryan took a narrow lead in their duel at Jeffreys Bay on South Africa's Eastern Cape on Friday with just 90 seconds left, scoring 6.93 when needing a 6.68. It left Australia's WSL leader Picklum little time for a response as she looked to earn a modest score of 5.93 to seal back-to-back victories in the J-Bay after her triumph in Saquarema, Brazil, last month. But Picklum, the 22-year-old from Gosford, hesitated when looking for the ideal wave to carry her to victory, failing to grab a couple of possible chances to ride in the final minute in a bid for glory. When her time ran out to respond with what would have been her seventh effort of the final, the Australian splashed the waters in disgust at having lost the final by a mere 0.26 points, 13.60 to 13.34. Picklum's consistency means she still leads the WSL standings on 61,145 points, ahead of Hawaii's Bryan, who was lifting her third title of the season to put her on 58,595 points. In the men's event, Japan's O'Leary took out his first WSL title. The Australian-born O'Leary had the event's only 10-point ride in the semi-finals as he knocked out three-time J-Bay winner Filipe Toledo, before beating another Brazilian, world No 1 Yago Dora, in the final. O'Leary only rode three waves but racked up scores of 8.17 and 7.50 in his second and third runs, giving him a two-wave total of 15.67 of a possible 20, well clear of Dora's 14.23. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion 'All the stars aligned for this one, so I'm stoked. It felt good to have so many people cheering for me, and then to perform for them,' O'Leary said. 'I intended to do some of the best backhand surfing you've ever seen, and to compete with a fellow goofy in the final, hopefully it inspires other goofy-foot surfers that they can compete against the best in perfect right-hand point breaks.' The tour moves on to Tahiti next month, with the finals to be staged in Fiji between 27 August and 4 September. Picklum, Byran and American Caity Simmers have qualified for the women's event, while only Dora has sealed his spot in the men's competition.
Reuters
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Japan's O'Leary beats world number one Dora to take J-Bay win
July 19 (Reuters) - Japan's Connor O'Leary won his first world championship tour title at the Corona Open J-Bay in South Africa on Friday. O'Leary had the event's only 10-point ride in the semi-finals as he knocked out three-time J-Bay winner Filipe Toledo, before beating another Brazilian in world number one Yago Dora in the final. The Australian-born O'Leary only rode three waves but racked up scores of 8.17 and 7.50 in his second and third runs, giving him a two-wave total of 15.67 of a possible 20, well clear of Dora's 14.23. "All the stars aligned for this one, so I'm stoked. It felt good to have so many people cheering for me, and then to perform for them," said O'Leary, a goofy-footer, or one who stands with his right foot forward. "I intended to do some of the best backhand surfing you've ever seen, and to compete with a fellow goofy in the final, hopefully it inspires other goofy-foot surfers that they can compete against the best in perfect right-hand point breaks." World number two Gabriela Bryan won the women's event with a hard-fought victory over Australian world number one Molly Picklum, totalling 13.60 with efforts of 6.67 and 6.93 to outdo Picklum's opening 7.67. Picklum finished with a total of 13.34. "I came here early, putting in a lot of time here, and it paid off. I'm so stoked. It's been a dream of mine to win here at J-Bay. It's an iconic wave and one of my favourites in the world," Hawaii's Bryan said. The tour next heads to Tahiti. The top five men and women after the 11-stop tour will then compete for the world title in a one-day, winner-takes-all Finals Day in Fiji. Picklum, Byran and Caity Simmers (U.S.) have qualified for the women's event, while only Dora has sealed his spot in the men's competition.
CNA
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Surfing-Japan's O'Leary beats world number one Dora to take J-Bay win
Japan's Connor O'Leary won his first world championship tour title at the Corona Open J-Bay in South Africa on Friday. O'Leary had the event's only 10-point ride in the semi-finals as he knocked out three-time J-Bay winner Filipe Toledo, before beating another Brazilian in world number one Yago Dora in the final. The Australian-born O'Leary only rode three waves but racked up scores of 8.17 and 7.50 in his second and third runs, giving him a two-wave total of 15.67 of a possible 20, well clear of Dora's 14.23. "All the stars aligned for this one, so I'm stoked. It felt good to have so many people cheering for me, and then to perform for them," said O'Leary, a goofy-footer, or one who stands with his right foot forward. "I intended to do some of the best backhand surfing you've ever seen, and to compete with a fellow goofy in the final, hopefully it inspires other goofy-foot surfers that they can compete against the best in perfect right-hand point breaks." World number two Gabriela Bryan won the women's event with a hard-fought victory over Australian world number one Molly Picklum, totalling 13.60 with efforts of 6.67 and 6.93 to outdo Picklum's opening 7.67. Picklum finished with a total of 13.34. "I came here early, putting in a lot of time here, and it paid off. I'm so stoked. It's been a dream of mine to win here at J-Bay. It's an iconic wave and one of my favourites in the world," Hawaii's Bryan said. The tour next heads to Tahiti. The top five men and women after the 11-stop tour will then compete for the world title in a one-day, winner-takes-all Finals Day in Fiji. Picklum, Byran and Caity Simmers (U.S.) have qualified for the women's event, while only Dora has sealed his spot in the men's competition.
