Apr 24, 2021
Pro surfer Connor O’Leary grew up riding the waves in Australia, but has always felt a strong connection to Japan.
His mother, Akemi, is Japanese, and he also speaks the language.
O’Leary, 27, was born in Australia and is a proud Australian, but his Japanese heritage is an equally important part of his identity. Which is why this year he decided to make it a more visible part of who he is as a surfer by adding the Japanese flag to the Australian one that already adorns his uniform, as a way to represent both nations this year on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour.