tokyo 2020 olympics

Japan's Horigome wins first ever Olympic skateboard gold

32 Comments
By JOHN LEICESTER

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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.

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?

7 ( +8 / -1 )

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)

5 ( +7 / -2 )

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.

4 ( +12 / -8 )

Wow, Hopefully, the image of skating in general will improve in Japan with this achievement.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

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

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Got my longboard if I need to commute and my shortboard if I want to play. Skateboarding is a healthy sport.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Watched the event live it was amazing. Looked tllike they were roasting alive

2 ( +3 / -1 )

why is Canada not reported with other countries in the medals awarded?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

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.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

But skaterboarders have tattoos... and surfers, and BMXers. What was the JOC thinking?

Sarcasm - Off

1 ( +4 / -3 )

And don't be surprised if China wins this games.

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)

1 ( +2 / -1 )

joffyToday  05:30 pm JST

gerryToday  05:20 pm JST

why is Canada not reported with other countries in the medals awarded?

Gotta podium to get on that list!

Some special reason that Canada's two silvers don't count, is there?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Congratulations to Yuto Horigome, Kelvin Hoefler, and Jagger Eaton. Well done.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

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

0 ( +4 / -4 )

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.

Agreed, first bit of Olympic news I've been interested in. Bet the Oyajis are so torn now.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Get outa town. Really?

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.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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.

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

You must be aware that those sports are also played outside of the countries where they originated, aren’t you?

Get outa town. Really?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

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.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

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.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Skateboarding and BMX should be no longer a frowned upon sports. 

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.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

We are not out there trying to vandalize or trespass, or the way a lot of people see it. We are just out there doing our jobs, to be honest, and having an awesome time.

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.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

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.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

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.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

The way that one guy just kick away his skateboard in the second picture.......

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

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