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23-year-old surfing enthusiast Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones visited Indonesia to experience some of the best surfing locations on the planet. Hailing from Noosa in Queensland, Australia, Risby grew up close to the waves and surfing culture. However, things went wrong while staying at the Moon Beach Resort, Simeulue, in the Aceh province of Indonesia. On Thursday, the Noosa resident went on an alleged rampage while being inebriated, according to the local media outlet Bithe.

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The incident left multiple people, including Risby-Jones, injured. The police later arrested Risby-Jones. If convicted, the Australian could be staring at a five-year prison sentence. After his arrest, the 23-year-old gave a remorseful statement in front of local media. Here’s what he had to say.

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A surfing holiday turned into a nightmarish ordeal

The police stood guard as Risby gave his statement. “I feel like not myself, like almost possessed… It was not a good feeling,” he told the ABC. According to the Australian national, they had “a duty-free bottle of vodka. I only had one shot, just one shot.”

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However, he doesn’t remember much of what happened after that. According to Superintendent Jamitko, Risby-Jones became agitated and engraved, hitting a security guard inside the reset before storming out of the resort. In a written statement to Bithe, Jamitko also alleged that the 23-year-old man abused and hit a fisherman in the ankle. The fisherman needed 50 stitches for his injuries.

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According to the police chief, angry villagers retaliated, even attempting to set the resort ablaze. However, the Noosa man couldn’t recall the details. In a shocking revelation, the 23-year-old told ABC“I’ve got hit a lot of times on the ground, people kicked my head, made me forget.

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Risby-Jones doesn’t remember why he went on a rampage. However, “I was surfing a lot the day before, so I had like sunstroke, not enough drinking water,” he said. The Guardian reports that the Australian national would likely face charges “under article 351, for maltreatment resulting in physical injury.” However, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is already in talks with Indonesian authorities.

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What does the future hold for Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese received a question about the Risby-Jones situation. Albanese answered that he had not yet received a full briefing on the incident. “I don’t make comments about things that have happened overseas without being briefed,” said the Prime Minster. However, he also said when such incidents occur, the “DFAT do a very good job.”

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The 23-year-old surfing enthusiast’s family also released a statement. In the statement, they said Risby-Jones understands the implications of his actions and takes full responsibility. The family’s statement also said the Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones “would like to apologize to the Australian people for embarrassing them.” Only time will tell what happens to Risby-Jones. 

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Sagnik Bagchi

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Sagnik Bagchi is a Senior Writer at EssentiallySports, covering collegiate and Olympic sports through opinion‑driven storytelling. His volleyball reporting often spotlights program shifts and leadership changes, including Harper Murray’s evolving role and John Cook’s candid retirement reflections at Nebraska. With nearly four years in sports media, Sagnik has contributed across key beats, from the Paris 2024 Newsbreak team to behind‑the‑scenes coverage of the NHL Playoffs. An English Literature postgraduate, Sagnik’s versatility spans bodybuilding, US sports, and Olympic disciplines. As a former Senior Bodybuilding Writer, his work earned recognition from IFBB Pro Greg Doucette. His adaptability and consistency have resulted in a place in EssentiallySports’ Journalistic Excellence Program, where selected writers work with industry mentors to refine their reporting and analytical skills.

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Jahnabi Choudhury

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