Newcastle’s Poppy Olsen became the first Australian to make an Olympic skateboarding final, finishing in fifth as Japan made it a perfect three-from-three at Tokyo after teen Sakura Yosozumi claimed gold in the women’s park.
World no.4 Olsen came off on her first ride in the final to post a 35.20, Olsen produced a solid second ride of 46.04, which was just 1.5 out of medal contention at the time.
The 21-year-old put it all on the line in her final effort, but what looked like a promising score capable of pushing up into the medals came unstuck with a spill in the final seconds.
There was no denying 19-year-old Yosozumi, whose first ride in the eight-woman decider was enough to hold on for gold.
Her success on Wednesday comes on the back of earlier double Japanese gold in the street as skateboarding made its Olympic debut.
Twelve-year-old Hiraki Kokona claimed silver with a 59.04 – just 1.05 points shy of becoming the youngest gold medallist in Olympic history – with British 13-year-old Sky Brown in third with 56.47.
Kokona becomes the youngest Olympic medallist in 85 years with Brown the youngest ever Summer Olympics medallist.
World No.1 Misugu Okamoto – the 15-year-old Japanese star who is the reigning world champion and X-Games winner – had a chance to snatch gold at the death but came off on her final ride and had to settle for fourth.
AAP
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