Tokyo (dpa) – The first-ever Olympic gold in skateboarding went to Japan’s Yuto Horigome, who won the men’s street event on Sunday in the Tokyo district where he grew up and started the sport as a boy.
Horigome, 22, posted 37.18 points at the Ariake Sports Park to edge out Brazil’s Kelvin Hoefler (36.15) and American Jagger Eaton (35.35) in the event based around a recreated street course.
In the eight-man final, each athlete had to make two runs of 45 seconds and show five tricks marked by judges, with the worst scrapped.
“I’m so happy. This is my home town. My house is like 20 minutes from here. I was born in Koto City and I’m just so happy to win the gold here,» Horigome said.
«I was able to perform at my best and I am super happy. It is very meaningful and aspiring for me. I have been doing skateboarding all my life.»
Horigome now mainly lives and performs his sport in the US where skateboarding has a much bigger acceptance than in Japan.
The 2019 X Games winner and 2021 world champion nailed four of his five tricks with marks over 9 while Hoefler missed two and Eaton three tricks in the final round.
Hoefler and Eaton also stressed the importance that skateboarding was making its Olympic debut – along with surfing, sports climbing and karate – in a bid to make the Games more appealing for a younger generation.
«I feel blessed. Skateboarding is a big family. I hope we can open doors for future generations,» Hoefler said.
Eaton struck a similar note, saying: «Skating in X Games is really fun but there is nothing like the Olympics. It is 100 per cent true.»
American pre-event favourite Nyjah Huston had to settle for seventh with several errors.
The women’s street event is Monday before men and women compete in the park discipline on August 4-5.
By Wolfgang Mueller, dpa