TOKYO — More than a half-century after it first rose to popularity on the streets of Southern California, skateboarding made its Olympic debut Sunday in Tokyo.
In fitting fashion, an American was on the podium.
Jagger Eaton won bronze in the men’s street discipline at Ariake Urban Sports Park.
Japan’s Yuto Horigome won gold and Brazil’s Kelvin Hoefler took silver.
The U.S. had long been expected to win an Olympic medal in this event — but few expected that American to be Eaton.
The 20-year-old Arizonan only barely qualified for Team USA in the men’s street discipline in a lengthy, tight Olympic qualifying process.
The clear favorite in the event had been Nyjah Huston, a six-time world champion and one of the world’s most popular skateboarders. Huston reached the final but wiped out on four of his five trick attempts, effectively eliminating him from medal contention. He finished 7th.
Eaton is the first of what will likely be multiple U.S. medal-winners across skateboarding’s four disciplines – men’s and women’s street and park. And he is the first American to medal in one of the new sports at the Tokyo Games, which also include karate, sport climbing and surfing.
Skateboarding competition will continue Monday with women’s street. The men’s and women’s park competitions, where the U.S. is expected to win at least one more medal, will resume late next week.
Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.