Surfing Republica - Carlos Muñoz awaits WSL decision regarding his participation in the 2023 CT
The World Surf League will have to choose between an Australian, two Brazilians and a Costa Rican, the two season wildcards for CT 2023.
Costa Rican surfer Carlos Muñoz, who is recovering from a right shoulder injury sustained during the first CT 2022 event at Pipeline, is not yet guaranteed to participate in the 2023 season, despite having been injured in a World Surf League (WSL) exclusive event.
“Cali” will have to wait until May 9, the date determined by the WSL to define the wildcards it will award for the next season.
The situation requires a very precise cut, as the organization will have to distribute two wildcards per season to four surfers, one of whom (Gabriel Medina) already practically has one secured and announced that he will return after a break to the sixth stop of the tour.
Going a bit broader on the topic of injuries, there's Australian Liam O'Brien (injured before the Pipe Pro), Brazilians Yago Dora (injured while free surfing before the 2022 season) and Gabriel Medina (who decided not to compete during the season for personal reasons), and Costa Rican Carlos Muñoz. It's important to note that Muñoz suffered an injury during an exclusive World Surf League event, but due to possible criteria used by the organization to award the two wildcards available per season (ranking and media impact due to market growth), he might not be able to compete in the 2023 CT through this route, but he could be in some tour events if he receives a wildcard for a specific event.
Furthermore, the CT 2022 will continue, but the mid-year cut announced by the World Surf League will also leave surfers out of competitions in the second half of the year, forcing them to compete in challenger events to seek a future qualification.
The decision is up in the air; however, it must be made as impartially as possible, since the credibility of an organization could be at stake, and despite injuries during its events, doubts may be raised about whether obtaining a wildcard is realistic or if other interests are at play.