Tokyo (AFP)
The Australian Keegan Palmer became Thursday the first Olympic champion in park, one of the two disciplines of skateboarding, a new sport on the program of the Tokyo Games.
At the end of this park or "bowl" test, which consists of performing aerial figures in an empty basin punctuated by elements of relief, Palmer is ahead with 95.83 points the Brazilian Pedro Barros (86.14) and American Cory Juneau (84.13).
Frenchman Vincent Matheron, who is coming back from a triple ankle fracture, took 7th place (42.33).
Keegan Palmer, a young 18-year-old skateboarder was born in the United States in San Diego before leaving as a child for Australia, where he now defends the colors.
Australian Keegan Palmer, first Olympic park champion, one of the two disciplines of skateboarding, August 5, 2021 at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Loic VENANCE AFP
Current world No.7, he finished third in the Dew Tour in 2019 (benchmark skate event) and finished fourth in the last Worlds.
Vincent Matheron, author of good qualifying, missed his final a bit by falling on his three runs, including two on the same element.
But the essential was elsewhere for the French already very satisfied to reach the final, a year after his serious injury.
Frenchman Vincent Matheron fell during his run in the park, one of the two disciplines of skateboarding, on August 5, 2021 at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Loic VENANCE AFP
"I showed what I could do. I did not complete my run. But you always have to remember that I still have plates and pins on my ankle, which I will have removed in a month", said the 23-year-old Marseillais.
"I'm glad I made it to the final. I was thinking of putting up a whole run. I fell on my tricks (tricks) three times than I usually do. These are my signings. But that's life. I'm very happy for my friends on the podium, "he added.
"I think I will come back stronger and in Paris (JO-2024), I will be in enemy territory (laughs). I am very motivated," said this great supporter of OM.
© 2021 AFP