For the first time skateboarding has made its way to the biggest stage of all, and young skaters took to the Olympics with gold on their minds. History was made yesterday as the first Olympic medals for women’s skateboarding found their way to their victors in the Street Skate finals; in one of the youngest podiums yet.
Age Is Nothing But A Number
13-year old Momiji Nishiya continued Japan’s dominance sweeping up the gold medal; just after Yuto Horigome secured the gold for the men’s street the day before. While 13-year-old Brazilian Rayssa Leal ‘ The Little Skateboard Fairy’ came flying in for silver; Funa Nakayama maintained Japan’s presence in 3rd at 16.
Nishiya’s 15.6 point win makes the hometown favorite the second-youngest champion in Summer Olympics history. She comes only behind Majorie Gestring of the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. Despite missing key landings on her initial tricks; she managed to nail the final three bringing her above Leal who ended with a 14.64. Followed by Nakayama with 14.49 earring Japan their 3rd skateboarding medal.
Meanwhile, Team Japan’s biggest contender Aori Nishimura came in 8th in a shock to many after suffering an injury while practicing.
“I welled up in tears because I was beyond happy,” Nishiya
The Bigger Picture
Although their fellow skaters did not make the podium; many expressed immense joy for the young medalist as they received their medals with 7th place, 22-year old Margielyn Didal being spotted talking to each one after the games and repeatedly bringing attention to the medalists on social media and people all over the world are starting to take notice.
“Imagine that?” she said. “It’s history, and I’ve just witnessed it. First ever Olympics, and I was able to skate with them? Imagine.”
– Mariegielyn Didal Team Philippines
While Team USA’s 34-year-old Alexis Sablone saw the influx of young talent as a sign that the world was finally starting to give female skaters the respect they deserve. “For a long time, there were way fewer females doing this. It’s taken until now for enough people to pay attention. To get enough eyes on it, to inspire more girls around the world to start skating, More Power to them. It’s wild to see.”
But the action is not over yet! The Woman’s Park Skating event will take place tomorrow as more history continues to be made as skateboarding makes its mark at the Olympics.
Follow me on Twitter @sportyspiccee, keep up with Olympic skateboarding, and check out Beyond Women’s Sports for more articles on amazing women and their sport.
Make sure to shop all things WNBA and Soccer merch here and head Didal’s advice: “For those young kids or just for girls or for everyone out there that wants to start skating, I want to tell them to just skate and enjoy it. Keep safe; wear some safety gear. Nothing is impossible.”
