Japan (Washington Insider Magazine) – Despite its reputation for rigorous restrictions and an elderly population, Japan has emerged as a dominant force in women’s skateboarding. Recent incidents in Paris have highlighted Japan’s dominance, with teen skateboarders grabbing headlines once more.
Fourteen-year-old Coco Yoshizawa’s late surge helped her beat compatriot Liz Akama, 15, to the gold medal at La Concorde Urban Park, Paris on Sunday. The pair’s scores were head and shoulders above the rest. Their performances stood out significantly from the competition. Yoshizawa expressed her excitement about the high level of performance achieved by teenagers in the sport.
On the men’s 25-year-old men’s street sensation Yuto Horigame defended his Olympic crown with a near-perfect score, narrowly beating Americans Jagger Eaton and Nyjah Huston. The success of Team Japan at the Paris Olympics follows their strong performance at the Tokyo Games in 2021, where Momoji Nishiya, then 13, won gold in the inaugural women’s street event.
Rising Popularity of Skateboarding in Japan
According to CNN, Given Japan’s historically restrictive attitude toward the sport, the country’s skateboarding success is surprising. Skate parks are the main locations for skateboarding, as it is prohibited in public spaces. But development has been sparked by skateboarding’s inclusion in the Olympics. Japan now has 475 skateparks, almost twice as many as it did in 2021. This means that young skaters have more possibilities to improve their skills.
Junnosuke Yonesaka, a pioneering figure in Japanese skateboarding, noted that the increase in skateparks has allowed young athletes to practice complex skills regularly. This improved infrastructure has been crucial in Japan’s recent success on the global stage.
Youth Dominates Skateboarding Globally
Japan is not alone in its young skating talent. The women’s skateboarding events are increasingly dominated by teenage athletes. At the Paris Games, Brazilian skater Rayssa Leal, 16, won bronze, while 14-year-old Cui Chenxi from China placed fourth. The upcoming park event will feature 11-year-old Zhang Haohao from China, set to be the youngest Olympian at Paris 2024.
Other notable young skaters include 10-year-old Mazel Paris Alegado from the Philippines and 14-year-old Australian Arisa Trew, known for breaking world records with her tricks.
While the success of young skaters is celebrated, there is concern about maintaining the sport’s original spirit. Kokona Hiraki, who will turn 16 next month, emphasized the importance of keeping skateboarding fun and not overly competitive. She acknowledged the benefits of increased global recognition but expressed mixed feelings about the sport’s shift towards a more competitive nature.
The rise of Japanese teenage skaters highlights a broader trend of young athletes excelling in skateboarding, reflecting both the growth of the sport and the evolving landscape of Olympic competition.