Tokyo (AFP)
The Japanese Yuto Horigome became the first Olympic champion in the history of skateboarding, an additional sport at the Olympics-2020, in the men's street category, Sunday at the Urban Sports Park Ariake in Tokyo, ahead of the Brazilian Kelvin Hoefler and the American Jagger Eaton.
Horigome, world champion last June in Rome, signed the best score with 37.18 points to cap the first Olympic laurels at 22.
Skateboarding, better known for being an urban leisure activity than a top-level sport, entered the Olympic program to rejuvenate the audience.
Frenchman Vincent Milou, 2019 European champion, finished 4th (34.14) while Aurélien Giraud, world No. 6 who appeared in the final with the best score in qualifying, finished 6th (29, 09).
Horigome, who lives in Los Angeles like many skaters, excelled on 'best tricks'.
Street is one of the two disciplines offered at the Olympics with the park (or bowl).
In street, the skater must string together very technical tricks (figures) on modules reminiscent of street furniture such as ramps.
In competition, the riders must string together two runs of 45 seconds each and then launch five tricks (all in turn).
Only the three best scores out of the seven obtained are taken into account for the final score.
Five judges rate the performances, taking into account in particular the creativity and the quality of execution.
Street superstar American Nyjah Huston did not shine in Tokyo on Sunday.
The tattooed skateboarder was content with 7th place (26.10) out of eight finalists.
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