Young Skate Prodigy Arisa Trew Grabs Gold in Paris

In a stunning display of talent, 14-year-old Arisa Trew has just made history at the Paris Olympics. She skated her way to gold in the women’s park event, becoming the youngest Olympic gold medallist for Australia.

Born in Cairns, Trew began skateboarding seven years ago. Her journey took a major turn when she watched the sport debut at the Tokyo Olympics three years back. Inspired by the talent she saw, she dreamed of being on that Olympic podium herself.

As Trew prepared for her final run at La Concorde, she was sitting in third place. Her coach, Trevor Ward, encouraged her with a fun phrase that they often joke about: “skibidi sigma.” While it sounds silly, it pumped her up and got her ready for the challenge ahead.

On her final attempt, Trew executed a series of breathtaking tricks, including a 540 spin that thrilled the crowd. With a score of 93.18, she nudged out Japan’s Cocona Kiraki, who scored 92.63, and Great Britain’s Sky Brown, landing in third.

After her run, Trew couldn’t believe it. “I couldn’t believe it when I knew that I was the winner of the Olympics. This being my first Olympics – it’s just insane,” she exclaimed. The atmosphere was electric as her fellow competitors celebrated with her, showcasing the strong spirit of camaraderie in the sport.

Before this moment, Trew had faced some struggles. During preliminaries, she qualified in sixth place, which understandably added to the pressure. But she handled it like a champ, turning it around in the final round with grit and determination.

In the stands cheering for her was none other than the legendary skater Tony Hawk, who praised her performance, saying, “She’s leading the way of what’s possible in skateboarding and in women’s skateboarding.” His support undoubtedly added to the significance of her victory.

Alongside her incredible performance, Trew’s background builds her unique narrative. With Japanese heritage from her mother and Australian roots, she expresses pride in both communities, saying, “All the Japanese skaters are crazy good.”

With her gold medal now hanging around her neck, she shared, “It’s a little bit heavier than I thought, but it’s beautiful.” This win not only marks a milestone in her young career but also paves the way for more female skaters to shine on a global stage.