13-year-old Momiji Nishiya scripted history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games today by winning a gold medal in the street skateboarding competition which has been included in the Olympics for the first time. Nishiya beat Brazil's Rayssa Leal, also a 13-year-old, with another Japanese, 16-year-old skateboarder Nakayama Funa, grabbing the bronze.  

At 13 years and 10 months, Nishiya is the youngest Japanese Olympic gold medalist, breaking the previous record held by swimmer Kyoko Iwasaki who as a 14-year-old had won a gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

This is also believed to be the youngest Olympic podium ever. Silver medallist Leal is not only Brazil's youngest-ever medallist but also Olympian.

Momiji Nishiya

USA's Marjorie Gestring, who won the springboard diving title at the 1936 Berlin Games at the age of 13 years 267 days, remains the youngest-ever woman Olympic champion.

Skateboarding is making a debut at the Tokyo Olympic Games as part of Tokyo 2020’s vision of a youth-focused and inspiring Games. The sport engages young people and gives a fillip to the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement.

Street skateboarding's growing popularity has also seen the sport grow immensely in undeveloped areas.

World Skate Skateboarding, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized international federation responsible for the global development of skateboarding, has said that both the Park and Street courses being used for the Olympics, will be left open to the public after the Games close.

"With the intention of bringing more international events to Tokyo, this will solidify a future in skateboarding events, overall participation and progression in the surrounding areas for years to come," the federation had said in April.

The legacy left behind will surely see many young champions like Nishiya achieve the ultimate sporting glory in future. 

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