At the age of just 13, Japan’s Momiji Nishiya made history on Monday by winning the first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s street skateboarding.
Nishiya topped a youthful podium with Rayssa Leal of Brazil, also 13, taking the silver medal and Japan’s Funa Nakayama, 16, winning bronze.
The youngest-ever Olympic champion is Marjorie Gestring, who won the springboard title at the 1936 Berlin Games at the age of 13 years 267 days, just 63 days younger than Nishiya
Teenager Nishiya finished with a score of 15.26 to top Leal’s score of 14.64.
At 13 years and 203 days, Leal would have become the youngest individual Olympic champion had she won.
Gestring’s record still could still be toppled at this Games, however.
Sky Brown, 13 years and 28 days, will become Britain’s youngest Olympian when she competes in the women’s park skateboarding on Wednesday, 4 August.
Japan’s Kokona Hiraki (12 years and 343 days) is also competing in the same event.
Skateboarding is one of four sports making their debut in Tokyo, along with surfing, sport climbing and karate.
