Japanese Duo Dominates Women's Skateboard Street Final at Paris Olympics

Coco Yoshizawa and her compatriot Liz Akama shone in the women's street skateboarding event at the Paris Olympics, capturing gold and silver for Japan on July 28. Rayssa Leal from Brazil grabbed the bronze, marking her second Olympic medal in skateboarding following her success in the Tokyo Games. Japan’s performance in this event reflects the country’s strong presence in street skateboarding, having previously dominated this category.

During the finals, Akama took an early lead after successfully completing her initial tricks. However, Yoshizawa executed a stunning performance on her fourth attempt, sliding down the big rails and achieving a score of 96.49 that pulled her ahead of Akama. Although Yoshizawa had already secured the gold by that stage, she went on to execute a fifth trick, celebrating her victory with a triumphant gesture toward her coach.

Earlier in the competition, Akama had set a strong standard with her score of 89.26 followed by a commendable 92.62 for her first trick, positioning her as a formidable contender. On the other hand, Leal, who entered the final after needing a strong showing in the preliminary round, made a late comeback by finishing her last run with a score of 88.83, securing her place on the podium once again.

Yoshizawa expressed her admiration for the youthful nature of the competition, highlighting how impressive it is for teenagers to excel at such high levels in the Olympic arena. Fourth place went to 14-year-old Cui Chenxi from China, while American skaters Poe Pinson and Paige Heyn occupied the fifth and sixth spots respectively. Meanwhile, Funa Nakayama, the bronze medalist from Tokyo, finished seventh after failing to execute any of her tricks successfully.

The skateboarding event took place at La Concorde Urban Park, and the beauty of the venue, with views of the Eiffel Tower, was noted. Yoshizawa, however, remained focused on her performance during the event, only taking in the scenery when she stepped onto the podium for her medal ceremony.