The view was stunning as soon as I turned right out of the park skateboarding arena on the famous Place de la Concorde, more than an hour after the final’s crescendo.
Several hundred people had gathered outside the exit by the stands. They were held back by temporary metal bars to keep them from becoming one big mass. Fans quickly looked in all directions to see what was making the new movement. Something eager buzzed in the air. In order to see the newest Olympic stars, they had to wait.
It was, of course, the teenage girls Arisa Trew, Hiraki Cocona, and Sky Brown who played the lead roles. They had just put on a great skate final. The oldest was 16 months old and had just turned 17 months old.
After a strong 91.98 on her first run, world number one Hiraki of Japan set herself up as the one to beat. Of course, Brown, Trew, and the rest of the pack tried to challenge, and they were getting close. With their second runs, American Trew scored 90.11 and British Brown scored 91.60.
That being said, the trio would really come alive in the last round.
On her last try, Trew hit a powerful line full of 540s and a beautiful front nose blunt on the box grab 180 out to finish.
A 14-year-old girl smiled as she came out of the bowl. Her smile was just as eye-catching as her hot pink helmet. Tony Hawk, a famous skateboarder, stood on the edge of the bowl and raised his hands above his head to clap. He knew that Trew would become the winner with that move. She did indeed get to the top with a score of 93.18.
After that, it was Brown’s turn to answer, but neither of them were quite able to make things better. When the final was over, there was a lot of cheering and tears of joy. Brown got third place, and Hiraki won silver.
It was a dramatic and unique sight that matched the famous buildings that lined the skyline behind them.
It was more than that, though.
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In 2024, Trew made history when she became the youngest person in her country’s history to win an Olympic medal. She also won the youngest gold medal at these Games.
The Australian girl was the first woman to land a 900 in May. In the same year, she became the first woman to land a 720 in competition, which she did on the vert ramp and in front of Hawk, who invented the trick. At the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards, she was named Action Sportsperson of the Year for what she did.
After all, Paris 2024 wasn’t just one event in Trew’s life as a young Queenslander; it was the continuation of a pattern.
To put it another way, Trew did on Tuesday what she has been doing quietly for a while now: raising the bar for women’s skateboarding. This time, the only thing that was different was that she did it in public.
Hiraki and Brown also deserve flowers for what they’ve done to help women’s skateboarding move forward.
For Trew, it’s been history in her sails, and for Brown, it’s been guts and style.
The British 16-year-old who had just won the bronze medal had broken her shoulder the day before she arrived in Paris. In April, she had also torn the medial cruciate ligament in her right knee.
Brown said, “It’s not in the best shape.” She admitted that the pain in her shoulder had made it hard for her to play in the final. She didn’t show any signs of anger or sorrow, though. “It is all part of the story.”
Aside from the injuries, there was another big deal about Brown’s award.
It was 389 days since the skater last competed in an Olympic qualifier because she chose to try to get a surf ticket for Paris.
She failed at both of her goals in the end, but when she got back to skateboarding, it was like she had never been away. Even though her combined Parisian quest didn’t work out, it was a great reminder that you should always try something you love, even if it doesn’t work out.
Brown was on a surf break, and Trew was planning her rise. Hiraki was in charge of the fort.
As Paris 2024 competition began, the Japanese star, who won her country’s youngest-ever Olympic medal at age 15, barely let her form slip.
Other well-known names, like her fellow countrywoman Yosozumi Sakura, who joined the teen trio when she was 22 and was already a veteran, stumbled when new people came in, but Hiraki showed them the bar they had to meet.
The Japanese skater lost the top three spots just once, in a qualifying race in early 2023, when she came in fifth. Her flowing style and wide range of lip tricks haven’t been matched yet.
What did Brown say about Trew and Hiraki afterward? “They are amazing.” “Arisa, it’s never been done to come out with the NPDs.” I really admire how tough and brave she is. Setting new standards for skateboarding and inspiring me.
“Cocona has been with us the whole time.” It’s been a lot of fun sharing these beautiful times and trips. However, she is very skilled. It’s been great to see her grow up over the years.
Hiraki said of her fellow medalists, “Sky, Arisa, and I all have different styles.” “They make me feel good, and we help and support each other.” Thanks a lot for that.”
When things have been moving along so quickly, it can be tempting to wonder what will happen next. That’s what all three skaters want to do in LA 2028, and Brown has already said she’ll try the surf and skate double again.
It’s fun and even contagious, but today you shouldn’t miss the moment itself.
The world finally got to see how far skateboarding has come and meet the young women who are running it on Tuesday.