Keegan Palmer, the 21-year-old Australian skateboarding sensation, etched his name in history once again by successfully defending his Olympic park skateboarding title at the Paris 2024 Olympics. With a score of 93.11, Palmer secured his second gold medal, leaving the crowd in awe. The young athlete couldn’t contain his excitement, expressing his disbelief and joy at becoming a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Palmer’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He wowed the audience, which included skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, rapper Snoop Dogg, and NBA star Devin Booker. Palmer even took time to capture Snoop Dogg on video, highlighting the thrill of sharing the stage with such iconic figures.
Palmer’s journey to victory began with a strong showing in the prelims, where he secured the top spot. He maintained his lead throughout the finals, delivering a breathtaking first run that solidified his position as the gold medalist. Despite falling on his second and third runs, his initial performance was enough to earn him the coveted gold.
American skateboarder Tom Schaar secured the silver medal with a score of 92.23 on his second run. He opened the finals with a strong score of 90.11 and showcased his technical prowess by landing more challenging tricks in his subsequent run. Schaar, a close friend of Palmer, expressed his joy at sharing the podium with his fellow skater.
Brazilian Augusto Akio earned the bronze medal with a score of 91.85 on his final run. Known for his entertaining personality, Akio kept the crowd engaged with his juggling routine before the prelims and after the first round, even balancing his skateboard in his mouth.
Hawk, a true pioneer in the world of skateboarding, lauded Palmer’s skills, acknowledging his ability to execute difficult vertical maneuvers. Palmer, humbled by Hawk’s praise, expressed his gratitude towards the skateboarding icon, acknowledging the impact Hawk has had on the sport and the inspiration he has provided.
The competition saw several other notable performances, including a fifth-place finish for American Tate Carew. However, his final run ended with a fall, denying him a place on the podium. Italy’s Alex Sorgente, Brazil’s Luigi Cini, and Australia’s Keefer Wilson secured positions six, seven, and eight, respectively.
The event also witnessed the participation of older skaters, including 51-year-old Andy Macdonald and 49-year-old Dallas Oberholzer, making history as the oldest skateboarders to compete in the Olympics. Macdonald finished in 18th place, while Oberholzer, the oldest competitor in Tokyo, placed last.
Palmer’s victory marked Australia’s second skateboarding gold in as many days, following 14-year-old Arisa Trew’s triumph in the women’s park event. Both Palmer and Trew, hailing from the same town on the Gold Coast, cemented their nation’s dominance in skateboarding.
