World surfing champion Gilmore attacked outside her NSW apartment

SYDNEY - Four-time world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore has been bashed by a man wielding a metal pole in an attack outside her New South Wales (NSW) apartment.

Gilmore was taken to hospital after the man allegedly struck her twice with the pole before fleeing the scene on a bike around 9.30pm on Monday.

According to the Courier Mail, the 22-year-old suffered a fractured wrist, and cuts to her head and hand.

Sometime later, the accused attacker returned to Gilmore’s apartment block where her friends and neighbours managed to detain him until police arrived at the scene.

The man was arrested and was charged with a number of offences including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was refused bail in Tweed Heads Magistrates Court this morning and will reappear on January 10.

“The woman received a laceration to the back of the head, a fractured wrist and lacerations to her hand,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said.

The attack has come less than two weeks after Gilmore won a historic third straight triple crown in Hawaii. (ANI)