Vincent Matheron

TOKYO 2020: FIRST EVER MEN’S OLYMPIC PARK SKATEBOARDING EVENT RECAP

The thing most likely to linger in the memory from Men’s Park skateboarding final in Tokyo is not an image but a sound. The sheer speed of the skating in the final sessions was right on the edge of possibility, tribute not only to the skaters themselves but to innovations in park design which made the concrete sound as fast as riding on glass. The park construction was essentially perfect, and the skating sounded like a rocket ride thundering throughout it: fantastic and exhilarating.

Image credit: Jeff Landi / World Skate Skateboarding

GET TO KNOW WHO IS SKATING IN THE FIRST OLYMPIC MEN’S PARK CONTEST

Heimana Reynolds
Hawaii produces a different kind of skateboarder—fearless cult figures with clannish loyalty to local brands and skate terrain. Kale Sandridge was an early example: a skater of undeniable, unique ability who remained largely unheard of in skateboarding’s mainstream and the fashions of taste therein. Honolulu’s Heimana Reynolds is an extension of that tradition. He arrives in Tokyo having stormed to victory from fourth place in 2019’s Park World Championships in Brazil, edging out the entire current Brazilian squad in doing so. After that, he went to rip the Cavepool backyard bowl with the São Paulo locals, showing those same 24/7 skate rat credentials of his predecessor Sandridge.

Source: www.skateboarding.worldskate.org // Words: Niall Neeson
Pictured: Heimana Reynolds during Men’s Park Practice Day 2 morning sessions at Toky 2020 Olympics. Image credit: Atiba Jefferson and Bryce Kanights / @atibaphoto @brycekanights

THE LIST OF FUTURE OLYMPIC SKATEBOARDERS IS OFFICIAL!!

With our final qualification event officially in the bag, we're happy to congratulate and announce the first 80 skateboarders headed to the 2021 Summer Olympic Games.

Image credit & Source: World Skate / www.worldskate.org