The Aussie is named as the 2014 recipient of the annual distinction in honor of the late Hawaiian surfer.
Aussie charger Owen Wright is the recipient of the 2014 Andy Irons Most Committed Performance Award. Commitment, passion, and raw courage were among the top criteria for picking the honoree.
"This feels amazing," Wright said. "I'm so honored to get this award. During the event, so many guys have really gone for it. ... I've watched Andy for so long, and I can't even imagine what he would be doing here today, but to receive this from peers, I'm psyched.
"I feel like [my fifth-place finish today] is 20-times better than my best result this year."
AI, catching some of the deepest, steepest takeoffs ever achieved at Teahupo'o.
It's been nearly four years since professional surfing lost Andy Irons, one of the sport's heroes, who left his mark on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) and Teahupo'o. Each year when the 2014 Billabong Pro Tahiti concludes, one competitor is awarded a distinction in his honor, the Andy Irons Most Committed Performance Award. The annual award was first created for the 2011 Billabong Pro Tahiti, following Irons's death the previous Fall.
Irons joined the elite ASP World Tour in 1998. Over the course of his career, he collected 20 elite Tour victories, four Triple Crown of Surfing titles, and three consecutive ASP World Titles. In addition, he claimed two Billabong Pro Tahiti titles, the last in 2010, just months before he passed away.
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Irons's commitment: Making the most of every barrel, large or small.
- WSL / © 2006 Karen Wilson karenwilson@
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Irons on a 12-foot wave during his second warm-up session at Teahupo'o in 2003.
- WSL / Karen Wilson
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Irons went into the 2003 event as the defending ASP World Champion and defending champ of the Billabong Pro Tahiti.
- WSL / Pierre Tostee
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It's hard to earn high scores in Tahiti without finding the pit. But Irons's daring maneuvers even outside Teahupo'o's sought-after barrels earned him the nod in many heats.
- WSL / Steve Robertson
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Irons, getting pitted in 2010.
- WSL / Steve Robertson
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On his way to the 2010 Final, Irons defeated then-former World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), lethal rookie Patrick Gudauskas (USA), and then-nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA).
- WSL / Karen
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Irons unleashed his unparalleled tube-riding skills to net a 14.67 out of a possible 20 and defeat CJ Hobgood (USA) in the 2010 Final.
- WSL / Kirstin
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Sometimes Irons's commitment came back to bite him, especially in the epic break at Teahupo'o. Irons on a serious wipeout in 2010.
- WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
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Scouting the lineup: Though his daring approach at times may have seemed reckless, Irons's feats earned the respect of his peers, and the loyalty of his fans.
- WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
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An iconic moment in ASP history, Irons's "shotgun claim" during the Billabong Pro Tahiti in 2006. Unfortunately, the wave behind him was better and he lost the heat.
- WSL / © 2006 Pierre Tostee tostee@aspw
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Irons commits to a turbulent tube in 2006.
- WSL
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Irons's 2010 victory at Teahupo'o was his first ASP World Tour victory since 2007.
- WSL / Steve Robertson
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Irons at the top of the podium for the last time at the 2010 Billabong Pro Tahiti.
- WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
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Jeremy Flores 2011 Andy Irons Award Winner ASP/Robertson
- WSL
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Ricardo Dos Santos 2012 Andy Irons Award Winner ASP/ Kirstin
- WSL / Kirstin
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John John Florence 2013 Andy Irons Award Winner © ASP/ Robertson
- WSL
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The 2014 Billabong A.I Most Committed Performance Trophy. Stay tuned for this year's winner.
- WSL / Kirstin
But Irons's stamp on Tahiti had little to do with his record and everything to do with his fearless approach to the infamous break. His performances at Teahupo'o were groundbreaking and his commitment unparalleled. Tahiti hosted his first event win and the last man-on-man heat he would share with his biggest rival, Kelly Slater (USA).
The A.I. Most Committed Performance Award honors this spirit and approach to competition during the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Current WCT competitor Jeremy Flores (FRA) won the inaugural award, followed by Ricardo dos Santos of Brazil in 2012, and John John Florence (HAW) in 2013. The 2014 winner will be picked by a panel that includes Martin Potter, Ross Williams, Mark Occhilupo, Strider Wasilewski and ASP Commissioner Kieren Perrow.
Catch all the action from the event with an online DVR of the 2014 Billabong Pro Tahiti.
Owen Wright Receives A.I. Performance Award
WSL
Aussie charger Owen Wright is the recipient of the 2014 Andy Irons Most Committed Performance Award. Commitment, passion, and raw courage were among the top criteria for picking the honoree.
"This feels amazing," Wright said. "I'm so honored to get this award. During the event, so many guys have really gone for it. ... I've watched Andy for so long, and I can't even imagine what he would be doing here today, but to receive this from peers, I'm psyched.
"I feel like [my fifth-place finish today] is 20-times better than my best result this year."
It's been nearly four years since professional surfing lost Andy Irons, one of the sport's heroes, who left his mark on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) and Teahupo'o. Each year when the 2014 Billabong Pro Tahiti concludes, one competitor is awarded a distinction in his honor, the Andy Irons Most Committed Performance Award. The annual award was first created for the 2011 Billabong Pro Tahiti, following Irons's death the previous Fall.
Irons joined the elite ASP World Tour in 1998. Over the course of his career, he collected 20 elite Tour victories, four Triple Crown of Surfing titles, and three consecutive ASP World Titles. In addition, he claimed two Billabong Pro Tahiti titles, the last in 2010, just months before he passed away.
But Irons's stamp on Tahiti had little to do with his record and everything to do with his fearless approach to the infamous break. His performances at Teahupo'o were groundbreaking and his commitment unparalleled. Tahiti hosted his first event win and the last man-on-man heat he would share with his biggest rival, Kelly Slater (USA).
The A.I. Most Committed Performance Award honors this spirit and approach to competition during the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Current WCT competitor Jeremy Flores (FRA) won the inaugural award, followed by Ricardo dos Santos of Brazil in 2012, and John John Florence (HAW) in 2013. The 2014 winner will be picked by a panel that includes Martin Potter, Ross Williams, Mark Occhilupo, Strider Wasilewski and ASP Commissioner Kieren Perrow.
Catch all the action from the event with an online DVR of the 2014 Billabong Pro Tahiti.
Andy Irons
Rewind and relive this iconic year at Jeffreys Bay where Andy Irons and Kelly Slater battle it out in the final with firing conditions.
Stars, Great Waves, Everything You Missed About Reunion Island
It is 'Andy Irons Day' in Hawaii, and to honor the three-time World Champions legacy we share memories from some more intimate moments.
Andy's "new vibe" connecting with his dominance of the previous years, was felt during his heat-winning 10-point ride at Backdoor that is
Peter "Joli" Wilson explains just what made the 2005 Billabong Pro Tahiti such a special moment in surfing history.
Billabong Pro Tahiti
The ASP desk picks Medina's big win at the Billabong Pro Tahiti as the Monster Moment during the 2014 Swatch Trestles Pro.
With three wins on the season, Medina set himself up for his maiden World Title.
Fans made history during the 2014 Billabong Pro, becoming the biggest live surfing audience ever.
Sunday, September 7 at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT ABC's World of X Games will feature the epic competition in Teahupo'o.
What many have called "the best contest ever" hits U.S. television sets Sunday, September 7, at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. on ABC.