Olympics and Paralympics
Women's Street Skateboarding Yields Gold and Silver for Japan at Paris 2024
Teenager Yoshizawa gave Japan its second consecutive Olympic gold while Akama brought in the silver in the skateboarding event that debuted at the Tokyo Games.
Teens Coco Yoshizawa and Liz Akama finished 1-2 in the women's skateboarding street final in Paris on Sunday, July 28, to give Japan gold and silver in the event held at La Concorde 3.
Yoshizawa, a 14-year-old from Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, was victorious with a total score of 272.75 points. Meanwhile Akama, a 15-year-old from Sendai, took second at 265.95.
Yoshizawa's victory saw Japan retain the gold in the event won by Momiji Nishiya at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Brazil's Rayssa Leal, the silver medalist in Tokyo, claimed the bronze at 253.37.
Yoshizawa, who began skateboarding when she was 7, secured the gold with a huge big flip front boardslide that brought 96.49 on her last run.
"There were more spectators than in previous competitions, and the support helped me do my best," Yoshizawa was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "I was able to come from behind to win in Budapest (at the Olympic Qualifier Series in June). And I'm happy to have come from behind to win at the Olympics as well."
Akama 'Very Happy' to Collect Olympic Skateboarding Medal
Akama held the lead before Yoshizawa's big move took her to the top of the standings.
"It was my dream to win a medal at the Paris Olympics, so I'm very happy," Akama commented. "I think I've been able to pay back a little bit of the support I have received. I'll do my best to win the gold at the next Olympics."
Japan's third competitor in the eight-skater final was Funa Nakayama, a 19-year-old from Toyama, who came in seventh on 79.77. Nakayama made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games, placing third in the same event in 2021.
RELATED:
- [ODDS and EVENS] Japan's Street Skateboarding Squads Look Poised for Major Success in Paris
- A Photographer Reflects on the Street Skateboarding World Championship
- Trying Out Sanrio Puroland's New English Attraction With Skateboarders Momiji Nishiya and Yumeka Oda
- SKATEBOARDING | 13-Year-Old Momiji Nishiya Steals Gold For Japan Among Huge Smiles
Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan.