Tokyo, Japan, August 4, 2021: There is no doubt that skateboarding has made a successful transition from Asian Games 2018 to Olympic Games 2020.
The same can be said for 19-year-old Sakura Yosozumi, Asian Games champion in Palembang, Indonesia three years ago and now the first Olympic champion in women’s park.
On a blistering hot day at Ariake Urban Sports Park on Wednesday, Japan recorded a 1-2 finish for gold and silver and claim all three skateboarding titles to date following the street competition earlier in the Games.
Yosozumi won gold with her first 45-second run in the three-run final contested by eight skaters from the 20 in the morning preliminary rounds. Her score of 60.09 would not be beaten.
Her 12-year-old compatriot, Kokona Hiraki, won the silver with 59.04 and Britain’s Sky Brown earned the bronze with a brilliant final run worth 56.47 to deny the third Japanese skater, Misugu Okamoto, a place on the podium. Okamoto’s best was 53.38.
The competition venue was sparkling, aided by bright blue skies and a burning sun.
Despite the ban on spectators, the main grandstand alongside the park course was busy, colourful and noisy with fellow athletes, support staff and officials who came along to enjoy the top-class entertainment and sporting spirit provided by the young athletes.
