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> News > X Games Minneapolis 2019 Day Two – Rookie Okamoto Claims Gold in Women’s Skateboard Park

skateboarding News

X Games Minneapolis 2019 Day Two – Rookie Okamoto Claims Gold in Women’s Skateboard Park

Misugu Okamoto (JPN) wins Women's Skateboard Park at 2019 X Games Minneapolis, at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, August 2. Image credit: / ESPN/Phil Ellsworth

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Day two of X Games Minneapolis 2019 continued at U.S. Bank Stadium today, where the world’s premier action sports athletes competed in six high-energy finals and one elimination, while the EXP Invitational - Apex Legends kicked off with 20 teams of three competing in Electronic Arts’ battle royale-style video game.

First up, X Games celebrated the best in amateur skateboarding with the Next X Skateboard Street and Next X Skateboard Park competitions. After finishing fourth in Next X Skateboard Park last year and taking 6th at the Vans Combi Bowl pro division back in May, Tate Carew took the top spot. Japanese skater Daiki Ikeda, whose older brother Daisuke is competing in the pro discipline, took the top spot in Next X Skateboard Street.

Just 17 years old, Japanese rider Sora Shirai took the top spot in the fan-favorite Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street Elimination, with tricks including a 180 alley oop fakie, a full cab back tail and varial heel out. Shirai, the youngest competitor in the field, in addition to six other skaters from the Elimination and the three medalists from X Games Minneapolis 2018 will compete tomorrow for gold.

In the youngest field in X Games history, Women’s Skateboard Park was won by 13-year-old X Games rookie, Misugu Okamoto, who also took first place in the Road to X Games: Boise Park Qualifier in June. Okamoto’s run included a backside 360 over the center feature, boneless, a varial air, backside Smith grind over the door, frontside air, alley-oop body jar, a mute 540 and a crail slide. Silver medalist Cocona Hiraki also made history, becoming the youngest female X Games competitor and the youngest medalist in X Games history, male or female. Lizzie Armanto took bronze, her third X Games medal.

Over on the dirt, up-and-coming Australian rider Corey Creed took his first X Games gold in Moto X QuarterPipe, reaching a height of more than 32 feet. Americans Tyler Bereman, also competing in Harley-Davidson Hooligan Racing this weekend, and Colby Raha rounded out the podium.

After a miss on his first run, two-time gold medalist Ryan Williams threw down an insane second run featuring a backflip off the start of The Real Cost BMX Big Air. His winning run featured a nothing bike flip over the gap and a frontflip flair on the quarterpipe. Fan-favorite Morgan Wade took silver, using his final run to hit the ramp with his friend and fellow competitor Mykel Larrin. Aussie Vince Byron took bronze, his second medal of the weekend after taking gold in Pacifico BMX Vert last night at The Armory.

The Australians closed out the night, sweeping the Moto X Freestyle podium with Rob Adelberg leading the charge. Continuing his streak, Adelberg earned his eighth medal in nine competitions. After eight starts in the Freestyle discipline, Adelberg finally earned his first gold with a run that included three different front flips including a front-flip nacnac and a front flip no hander. Josh Sheehan and Jackson Strong rounded out the podium.

After competition concluded at U.S. Bank Stadium, fans headed to The Armory to see performances by Minneapolis-native P.O.S and legendary East Coast rap group Wu-Tang Clan. Day three of X Games Minneapolis continues tomorrow with Pacifico BMX Park, The Real Cost Skateboard Big Air, Monster Energy Moto X Best Trick, Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street, Adaptive Skateboard Park, BMX Street, The Real Cost BMX Dirt and Moto X Best Whip. In addition to action sports, the first-ever EXP Invitational - Apex Legends crowns a winning team tomorrow, and fans can catch electronic DJ and three-time Grammy Award winner Diplo back at The Armory.

Quotables

Cocona Hiraki, Women’s Skateboard Park silver medalist

“I didn’t think I would podium, so to be in second place and the youngest medalist of all time is unbelievable.”

Misugu Okamoto, Women’s Skateboard Park gold medalist

“This was the stage of my dreams, I am dreaming!”

Results

Women’s Skateboard Park

1. Misugu Okamoto (JPN)

2. Cocona Hiraki (JPN)

3. Lizzie Armanto (USA)

4. Sakura Yosozumi (JPN)

5. Sky Brown (GBR)