Nishiya becomes Japan's youngest Olympic champion

Jul 26, 2021 | News On Japan

Jul 26, 2021 (NHK) - Nishiya Momiji has become the youngest Japanese Olympic gold medalist at the age of 13 after winning the women's street skateboarding at the Tokyo Games.

At 13 years and 10 months, Nishiya broke the previous record held by Iwasaki Kyoko, who won the women's 200-meter breaststroke race at the 1992 Barcelona Games at the age of 14.

Nishiya said she thought she wouldn't win until halfway through the competition, but the people around her cheered her up. She also said that's why she was able to put in good performances later on.

On becoming the youngest Japanese Olympic champion, the teenager said she's happy to set a record.

In the same category, 16-year-old Japanese skateboarder Nakayama Funa won the bronze.

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