At the park skateboarding arena in Place de la Concorde, the excitement was palpable. Hundreds of fans gathered, eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of the newest Olympic stars: Arisa Trew, Hiraki Cocona, and Sky Brown. The trio, all teenagers, had just delivered a memorable skateboarding final.
Hiraki, the world number one from Japan, set the pace with a 91.98 on her opening run. Arisa Trew of Australia and Britain’s Sky Brown soon followed, scoring 90.11 and 91.60 respectively in their second runs. However, the final round was where they truly shone.
Trew, the 14-year-old sensation, wowed the crowd with an impressive line featuring multiple 540s and a stunning front nose blunt on the box grab 180 out. Her performance earned her a score of 93.18, securing her the gold medal. Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk, watching from the sidelines, applauded her effort.
Hiraki and Brown couldn’t surpass Trew’s score, settling for silver and bronze. The event was dramatic and special, set against the iconic Parisian skyline.
Trew’s victory at Paris 2024 was not her first groundbreaking moment. In May, she became the first woman to land a 900 on the vert ramp, following her historic 720 in competition the previous year. These feats earned her the Action Sportsperson of the Year at the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards. Paris 2024 was another chapter in her remarkable career.
Hiraki and Brown also played significant roles in advancing women’s skateboarding. Brown, just 16, competed despite dislocating her shoulder the day before and having recently recovered from a knee injury. Her resilience and determination were evident.
Brown’s bronze was particularly impressive given her 389-day hiatus from skateboarding to pursue a surf quota for Paris. Although she didn’t secure a spot in surfing, her return to skateboarding was seamless, demonstrating her versatility and passion.
Hiraki, Japan’s youngest-ever Olympic medallist at 15, consistently showcased her talent throughout the Paris 2024 qualification process. Her fluid style and lip tricks remained unmatched, keeping her at the forefront of the sport.
These three skaters are transforming their sport, each in their unique way. Their camaraderie and mutual support were evident during the press conference following the medal ceremony, where they shared laughs and reflected on their journeys.
“Arisa, with her never-been-done tricks, is a beast and truly inspiring,” Brown said. “And Cocona, she’s been along for the ride the whole way. Watching her grow is super good.”
Hiraki echoed the sentiment, “All of us have different styles. They inspire me, and we support and encourage each other. I really appreciate that.”
Looking ahead, all three skaters have their sights set on LA 2028, with Brown planning to attempt the surf and skate double again. Their progress has been rapid and remarkable, promising an exciting future for the sport.
On this day, the world witnessed the incredible advancements in skateboarding, driven by these exceptional young women. Indeed, their performances highlighted how far the sport has come, and as a result, they captivated audiences with their extraordinary skills. Furthermore, their achievements exemplify the rapid evolution of skateboarding, demonstrating that these athletes are not just participants but pioneers. Consequently, the impact of their performances extends beyond the arena, inspiring future generations of skaters. Thus, their contributions to the sport are both groundbreaking and transformative, marking a significant milestone in skateboarding history.
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