Keegan Palmer wins gold for Australia in men's park skateboarding (2024)

The 18-year-old Australian skateboarder rode high with two sensational performances in the finals to score gold, whilst Pedro Barros of Brazil picks up silver and USA's Cory Juneau takes bronze

Keegan Palmer wins gold for Australia in men's park skateboarding (2)
(2021 Getty Images)

Australia's Keegan Palmer scored not one but two brilliantly executed performances in the men's park skateboarding finals today to land him gold and Australia's first ever Olympic gold medal in skateboarding.

Palmer led the pack right after his first run where he scored a massive 94.04 which no one could surpass even after three rounds of the competition. But it was his third and final run that ultimately sealed that deal, as his score of 95.83 was the one to beat.

Palmer opened his mouth in disbelief after receiving top scores from the judges.

“It’s an absolute honour to skate with my friends. I can’t believe I’m here in Tokyo for the Olympics, skating with so many of my best friends from when I was little. And now we’re all on the podium together, and it’s an absolute honour," Palmer said.

“Everyone’s been training for so long, missing out on the last year. I worked my ass off a long time for this, and I saw it through to the end. I’m just grateful for everyone that’s been there for me, and I’d just like to say thank you.”

Keegan Palmer wins gold for Australia in men's park skateboarding (3)
GettyImages-1332429999 (2021 Getty Images)

Skateboarding into Olympic history

Meanwhile, world no 4 Pedro Barros of Brazil showed his strut around the skateboard park by scoring an impressive 86.14 in his first run to clinch silver.

“Today isn't magic just because I have a medal on my neck. It’s magic because I was able, together with my friends -a bunch of kids -writing history," the 26-year-old Brazilian skateboarder said.

Barros says that his victory today goes beyond the sport.

“We’re making sport a better place, a better world. That’s what it’s really about."

"Skateboarding is a community, it’s a lifestyle. It goes way beyond just a sport. But it’s beautiful to see that we were able to do here now, competing in the biggest sport event in the world that showcases the power that we truly have when we’re together, sharing love and respect. It’s beautiful.

"I’m really honoured to be here with these guys.”

Keegan Palmer wins gold for Australia in men's park skateboarding (4)
GettyImages-1332430196 (2021 Getty Images)

The camaraderie in skateboarding

Cory Juneau from the USA lands a bronze with his best score of 84.13.

Juneau who is good friends with gold medallist Palmer has this to say about him:

"I'm so proud of him. He's like a little brother to me. We've been skating together since we were little kids. I think I met him when I was 10 years old and he must have been like seven," the 22-year-old athlete said.

"We've been skating contests ever since, like growing up together, and he's kind of really stepped into his own and I'm just so proud to see him up there, figuring out what he wants to do and push himself.

"This is the best I've ever seen him skate, so he deserved it."

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Keegan Palmer wins gold for Australia in men's park skateboarding (2024)

FAQs

Who won the gold medal in men's park skateboarding? ›

Australia's Keegan Palmer, 18, won the first-ever men's park skateboarding gold medal at the Olympics with a 95.83 on his third run. Brazil's Pedro Barros won the silver and American Cory Juneau took bronze.

When did Steve Bradbury win gold? ›

Steven Bradbury's unlikely moment of glory was the fluke heard around the world. Howls of derision greeted Steven Bradbury as he walked to the podium to collect his gold medal in the 1000m short-track speed skating at Salt Lake City in 2002.

Where is Keegan Palmer from? ›

Palmer was born in San Diego, California, to an American father, Chris, and a South African mother, Cindy, on 12 March 2003. He moved with his family from San Diego to Australia's Gold Coast as a one-year-old.

Who won men's skateboarding? ›

Three of the four contests were won by Japanese skaters, and Japan took five of the 12 total medals on offer. The domination was led off by Yuto Horigome, who won the men's street competition ahead of Brazil's Kelvin Hoefler and the United States' Jagger Eaton.

Did Nathan Chen win gold? ›

Nathan Chen wins gold in the men's singles finals at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

Who won gold in women's skateboarding? ›

Momiji Nishiya of Japan won the gold medal, with Rayssa Leal of Brazil and Funa Nakayama of the Japan winning the silver and bronze medals.

How many gold medals has Steven Bradbury won? ›

Medals
MedalsOG
Gold1
Silver0
Bronze1
Total2

What is a Bradbury in Australian slang? ›

Bradbury's feat has entered the Australian colloquial vernacular in the phrase "doing a Bradbury", meaning an unexpected or unusual success.

Who won Australia's first Winter Olympic gold medal? ›

Australia's maiden gold came in highly unlikely circ*mstances. Steven Bradbury, a member of the bronze-winning 1994 relay team, won gold in short track speed skating on 17 February when all of his competitors in the 1,000 m final crashed out on the final turn while jostling for the medal positions.

What is the difference between a park and street skateboard? ›

Park competitions take place on a course that is a hollowed-out concrete bowl with several different elements including ramps, quarter pipes and bumps. On the other hand, street skaters use the urban environment as a playground.

Is skateboarding a sport or a hobby? ›

skateboarding, form of recreation and sport, popular among youths, in which a person rides standing balanced on a small board mounted on wheels. Considered one of the so-called extreme sports, skateboarding as a professional sport boasts a range of competitions, including vertical and street-style events.

How much is Nyjah Huston worth? ›

Nyjah Huston's Accomplishments

Predictably, success followed Nyjah wherever he went, as he gained national attention by winning a jaw-dropping 11 gold medals in the X Games over his career, en route to boasting a reported net worth well past $10 million – not bad for a kid from Davis!

When did Lindsey Jacobellis win gold? ›

In her Olympic debut at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Jacobellis won the silver medal in snowboard cross but was unable to medal at the next three Olympics until winning gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

What does the Tokyo Olympics logo mean? ›

Composed of three varieties of rectangular shapes, the design represents different countries, cultures and ways of thinking. It incorporates the message of “Unity in Diversity.” It also expresses the fact that the Olympic and Paralympic Games seek to promote diversity as a platform to connect the world.

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