Australia equals its best Olympic performance with the first-ever gold medal in park skateboarding – our second victory in just a few minutes
Gold Coast teenager Keegan Palmer nailed his final run to snare gold in the Olympic men’s skateboard final on Thursday.
Palmer, 18, came into the final ranked fifth but shot to the front, delivering an impressive first run score of 94.04 which left him as the skater to beat.
His competitors were unable to match his class in the bowl with Palmer’s final run delivering an even better final score of 95.83.
Aussie teen Keegan Palmer (pictured) has snared a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics – in skateboarding
Palmer’s final run delivered a final score of 95.83, which his rivals couldn’t reel in, leaving the Gold Coast teenager an Olympic champion
Gold Coast teen Keegan Palmer blitzed the field to win gold in the men’s skateboard final
It was also the debut of skateboarding as a sport at the Olympics, ensuring Palmer has forever etched himself into sporting history.
Palmer’s gold medal triumph equals Australia’s best ever return at an Olympic Games, with 17 to date.
An emotional Palmer was mobbed by his fellow athletes at the skate park after his exploits in the final.
After he secured the win, Palmer clasped his hands over his mouth as the enormity of what he had just achieved began to sink in.
‘It’s an absolute honour,’ Palmer told NBC.
‘I’ve been training for so long. I’ve been working my ass off for a long time.’
Australian teammate Kieran Woolley said it was ‘sick’ Palmer had delivered on the world stage.
‘We’re in a pretty strict lockdown but we might sink a few beers,’ he said.
‘I am so honoured to even call him my mate.’
Woolley went onto describe Palmer as a formidable competitor who ‘took it to the next level’.
‘It is legendary – Australia’s first Olympic skateboarding gold. What a beast.
‘He’s a super cool dude. We’ve been pushing each other and skating better and better.’
Keegan Palmer outclassed his rivals on the big stage – and was visibly shocked (pictured) after his epic win in the men’s skateboarding
Gold Coast teenager Keegan Palmer with his gold medal after winning the final of the men’s skateboard in Tokyo on Thursday