Japan's attempt to solidify its supremacy in Olympic skateboarding has been successfully reinforced by the brilliance of Horigome in the men's street skateboarding final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Japan achieved its 8th medal in two consecutive Olympics

The skateboarding discipline, with its two modalities, "park" and "street," made its Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020 and has marked the return of skaters to the spotlight in Paris 2024. Each time, the level of competition among podium contenders increases.

After a postponement due to weather conditions, the competition took place, as has become customary since its recent inclusion as an Olympic sport, at the iconic Place de la Concorde. There, the 25-year-old skater displayed boldness, talent, and flair to defend his title with a masterful performance.

The Japanese skater began the final in a challenging position, sitting in seventh place before his last attempt. However, with a groundbreaking score of 97.08 on his final trick, Horigome managed to climb to first place, securing gold with a total of 281.14 points. This victory has undoubtedly highlighted the great power of Japanese skateboarding on the Olympic stage.

However, it wasn't as smooth as it might seem at first glance. Eight incredible skaters sought to dethrone the Japanese and claim their first men's medals in this new sport. Among them was Argentine Matías Dell Ollio, who was the best in heat 1 and finished fifth overall in the preliminary classification held on Monday morning at the Place de la Concorde.

Also attracting attention were the feats of American skaters Jagger Eaton (274.88) and Nyjah Huston (272.66), Japanese skater Sora Shirai (270.42), Brazilian Kelvin Hoefler (265.24), Canadian Cordano Rusell (263.87), and Slovak Richard Tury (257.99).

During the competition, the dreams of new hopefuls seeking to win a medal for their country were dashed. Bittersweet but motivating for the future, Horigome once again delivered a decisive performance. Interestingly, the defending champion of men's street skateboarding, 

The Japanese champion was in seventh place before his final trick. But, like a master magician, he had an ace up his sleeve: he dazzled in his last opportunity to improve his score, receiving a massive 97.08 and taking the gold with a total of 281.14 points.

Among his pursuers was the promising Jagger Eaton, who moved up a spot from his bronze finish in Tokyo 2020. This time, the young skater was happy with a silver that, given his talent, could easily turn into gold in future editions. Meanwhile, Nyjah Huston (USA) took the bronze with a third-place finish.

This triumph reaffirms Japan's dominance in the street skateboarding discipline. But it's important to note that the Asian powerhouse has shown its talent not only in the men's category but also in the women's, where 14-year-old athlete Coco Yoshizawa won the gold medal with a score of 272.75. Her compatriot, Liz Akama, 15, took the silver.

Meanwhile, Brazilian Rayssa Leal made history. Known affectionately as "Fadinha" (The Little Fairy), she shone with the bronze and became the youngest athlete in history to win two Olympic medals in two different editions of the Olympic Games at just 16 years and 6 months.

Now we will see if Japan continues to extend its success in the park discipline, the other Olympic event was held on a varied course that combines bowls and numerous curves used by athletes to gain speed and perform aerial tricks. The women's final is scheduled for August 6, while the men's final will take place on August 7.

After that event, we will see if Japan surpasses the three gold medals won in Tokyo or if a new competitor emerges to halt the rise of skaters from the Land of the Rising Sun.