The Women's Skateboard Park Finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics were action packed from start to finish. Cocona Hiraki put down the highest score in the prelims and was looking strong going into the finals, but that's not to say the other seven finalists weren't biting at her heels.
Brazil's Dora Varella kicked off the finals with a bangin' line and really set the tone. But USA's Bryce Wettstein and Japan's Cocona Hiraki really delivered with heavy first runs, placing them in the top two slots with Bryce in second and Cocona in the top slot after the first of three runs.
Australia's Arisa Trew came out swinging with her second run and found some redemption after an unfortunate slam during her first attempt, temporarily placing her in second place overall. But Sky Brown also found redemption during Run 2 and secured the silver slot shortly after, looking strong and stoked going into the final round.
Going into those third and final runs, you could feel the pressure. The empty podium was screaming at these skaters, with those gold, silver and bronze medals within reach. But in the end, it was Arisa Trew (AUS) who took home the gold with an undeniably impressive line. She took her run to an entirely different level—high risks, high rewards. Everything was structured, yet stylish. No section of the course was left untouched.
That said, Cocona Hiraki and Sky Brown were both close behind, piecing together the lines they had been waiting for all day, with Cocona Hiraki winning the silver medal and Sky Brown securing the bronze medal. The level of skateboarding we all witnessed in the finals was incredible, to say the least. Shout out to every skater who skated the prelims and finals. Simply being there in Paris at the Olympic Games is no small feat.
And like I've been saying throughout so much of this Olympic Skateboarding coverage, the camaraderie between these ladies is the coolest part about the whole event.
Congrats again to Arisa Trew (AUS) for claiming the gold medal, Cocona Hiraki (JAP) for winning silver and Sky Brown (GBR) for getting the bronze. Amazing skateboarding all around.
Men's Skateboard Park is tomorrow, August 7th—same time, same place. We'll see you all there.
Thumbnail Photos: World Skate / Bryce Kanights & Atiba Jefferson
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