Olympics 2020: Japan skateboard sensation, 13, cools Tokyo talk after world title win
- Pint-sized skater claims world championship title in Sao Paolo
- Okamoto has won the last five competitions she has entered in a sizzling run of form
The 13-year-old captured the skateboarding park world championship title in Sao Paolo, beating out countrywoman Sakura Yosozumi with Britain’s Sky Brown third in a preview of Tokyo 2020 when the sport makes its Olympics debut.
But tiny Okamoto, who has won the last five competitions she has entered in a sizzling run of form, including gold on her first appearance at the prestigious X Games last month, is keeping her feet firmly on the ground.
“I didn’t think about the win streak, or being the youngest world champion,” Okamoto said.
“I don’t feel like I’m the best in the world,” added the bashful teen, who scored 61.17 points to beat Yosozumi (60.00) and 11-year-old Brown (58.13), who is bidding to become the youngest female to compete at the Summer Olympics in 50 years.
