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© Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Japan's Horigome wins first ever Olympic skateboard gold
By JOHN LEICESTER TOKYO©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
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Michael O’ Dereiter
I always had the impression that skateboarding was born of this free, punk, anti-establishment culture. I can't see how it fits in with the corporate greedfest that is the modern Olympics, however skilful the participants are.
Sindhoor GK
Wow, Hopefully, the image of skating in general will improve in Japan with this achievement.
Yukijin
Michael O’ DereiterToday 04:03 pm JST
I always had the impression that skateboarding was born of this free, punk, anti-establishment culture. I can't see how it fits in with the corporate greedfest that is the modern Olympics, however skilful the participants are.
Pre energy drink sponsorship that were true
Dr.Cajetan Coelho
Congratulations to Yuto Horigome, Kelvin Hoefler, and Jagger Eaton. Well done.
garypen
It's always strikes me as a little odd when the US team doesn't win gold in an American sport, such as baseball/softball, basketball, or the newest, skateboarding.
It's not nationalistic, as I don't care who wins at any of the sports. I just find it surprising. It's similar to when Japan doesn't win at Judo. Or, Korea at Tae Kwon Do.
Hiro
The way that one guy just kick away his skateboard in the second picture.......
Oxycodin
Thank you for getting gold medal!!! Skateboarding and BMX should be no longer a frowned upon sports. Time for change Japan and open up more public skate parks like USA
ClippetyClop
Without wanting to sound patronizing, it amazes me that this would vex you for even a second.
You must be aware that those sports are also played outside of the countries where they originated, aren’t you?
smithinjapan
Good on him, but not sure sending the message that he “skated wherever he wanted, even when told not to,” is a great message for young people. Use this chance to make skate parks, but don’t start turning a blind eye (more than usual) on ignoring safety laws. They rules are there not to rain on your parade, they are there for safety and also to avoid damaging the property. Saw a kid skating outside the city Hall in Nakanoshima, Osaka, and failing a jump his skateboard clocked a thre-year-old kid who was walking with his mom. Didn’t stick around for the aftermath, but if I was the mom I would have beaten the kid with the board before tossing it in the river, then resumed beating the skater.
gerry
why is Canada not reported with other countries in the medals awarded?
Brent Forrest
Watched the event live it was amazing. Looked tllike they were roasting alive
gogogo
For someone that is not following the Olympics I gotta say congratulations because skateboarding is so frowned upon in Japan, this win is bitter sweet.
Laguna
Got my longboard if I need to commute and my shortboard if I want to play. Skateboarding is a healthy sport.
TokyoJoe
Agreed, first bit of Olympic news I've been interested in. Bet the Oyajis are so torn now.
Liam Roberts
Why do you say skateboarding is frowned upon in Japan, don’t see that myself. Many skate parks that I have seen, skate boards and skating wear in many shops. And in the sport itself many top Japanese skaters (especially the women or young girls at the top of their game)
Trapped
But skaterboarders have tattoos... and surfers, and BMXers. What was the JOC thinking?
Sarcasm - Off
lostrune2
Not in counter-culture anti-establishment sports like these
China doesn't want that attitude amongst its youths, so ya won't see China supporting it
That's why ya don't see Chinese top athletes in the X Games (some of those sports are Olympic sports)
0rei0
Some special reason that Canada's two silvers don't count, is there?
garypen
Get outa town. Really?
Nibek32
Yuto was the only one that didn’t unravel. Congrats Yuto!
Love seeing skateboarding enter the Olympics, but most of the skaters showed just how inexperienced they are at skating as sport. The professionalism just didn’t compare to what you see in other sports.
Looking forward to seeing it evolve as sport.
ShinkansenCaboose
I helped kids pull up these heavy black rubber mats to stop skateboarding down at Kugenuma. Crazy to put that dangerous stuff out. Plus these skateboarders are amazing groms in the surf.
fxgai
Skateboarding is cool, but in the local neighborhood it’s not because it’s too damn noisy.
One sukeboi is joined by another and before you know it it is a cacophony of noise of boards crashing to the ground together with their rider most of the time.
No issues whatsoever with people skateboarding at skateboard parks, but on the streets of Japan it’s just not cool.
NOMINATION
I know that Skateboarding was one of the harder to get tickets for all events. Looking at the stands with no shade in sight surrounded by concrete would have kept paramedics busy. This was a fun event though and happy that NHK broadcasted it til the end.
rzadigi
this excuse is ridiculous. When skating street it’s almost impossible to avoid damaging things, and saying it’s a job implies that one has no choice in the matter, or it should be fine if one is making money from skating. His attitude shows the perfect irony of skateboarding being an Olympic sport. It always has and always will be annoying to pedestrians and property owners. The Olympics may get more skateparks built but it’ll never be accepted on the streets.
ClippetyClop
Cool, it's just that from your original post you seemed to struggle with the concept that other countries might be good at sports that didn't originate in their country many decades ago.
Newgirlintown
Every time I’ve ever seen skaters in Japan they’ve always been terrible. They never land any of their tricks and always, always bail. Maybe things will get better now!
Wolfpack
The inclusion of fringe “sports” like skateboarding and trampoline acrobatics has began to annoy me about the Olympics. Barrel jumping would be a lot more interesting. The idea is that these sports are supposed to get more younger people to watch the games and the corporate advertising. The plethora of sports is just way too much. It’s becoming difficult and hugely expensive to host the games. It’s more of an advertising racket than anything else. Young people can appreciate swimming, jumping, and throwing.