Asian Games 2023: Onodera Ginwoo stunned as Zhang Jie win's men's street skateboarding final, Cui Chenxi crowned women's champion
The two 13-year-olds tell two different tales as Onodera finishes seventh without making a single trick while Cui storms to her first major international title before the home crowd in Hangzhou.
Skateboarding
It was a contrasting day for two of Asian skateboarding’s most talented 13-year-olds.
Onodera Ginwoo, the boy wonder from Japan, had a forgettable afternoon under the frying sun at QT Roller Sports Centre on Wednesday (27 September), finishing a shocking seventh out of eight in the men’s street final at the Asian Games 2023 won by Zhang Jie of the People’s Republic of China.
Cui Chenxi, however, was spectacular in the women’s final with a 242.62, capturing the gold over her countrywoman Zeng Wenhui on 236.61. Japan's Ito Miyu was third 221.59.
Men's street - final
China's Zhang was in second position heading into the 'best trick' section of the competition, and put down impressive scores of 78.67 and 81.89 which were enough to clinch gold with a total of 231.14
The silver medal went to Tanjung Sanggoe Darma of Indoneisa (200.63), while bronze was won by Su Jianjun from the host country (195.73).
Onodera was widely considered the favourite going into the final, having topped both the heats.
The world bronze medallist and X Games Japan champion started well with an opening run of 76.39, six points clear of Zhang for the lead going into the five tricks.
But to the amazement of everyone in the crowd, Onodera couldn’t land a single trick. When he missed the fourth try he absolutely had to nail for a shot at a medal, there was a moment of stunned silence in the venue.
“My run was good but the best trick was frustrating because I couldn’t make anything. I don’t know what happened. I just don’t know,” the Japanese star said before being whisked away by his parents, head down in disappointment.
It wasn't Onodera Ginwoo's day on Wednesday.
Women's Street - final
Cui got her international breakthrough in front of the home crowd after posting marginal results on the WST circuit this season in Rome (17th) and Lausanne (23rd).
The 13-year-old only took up skateboarding three years ago and is currently the second-highest Chinese skater in the Olympic rankings for Paris 2024, behind only Zeng.
Cui smashed her second run for a 79.14 to jump out into the lead, and could almost touch the gold medal after her first two tricks - the second the day’s high of 83.17.
The teenager from Shandong saw Zeng close in by six points with one trick to spare, but the gap would not further shrink as Zeng failed to land her final attempt.
"I always wanted to win gold,” Cui said. “This competition is different from other competitions so I especially wanted to win this one.
"I completed 90 per cent of what I'd planned. There was just the trick I tried in the last three attempts and missed. That one was really difficult. But my coaches respect my choice, so it's OK if I fail doing the tricks I want to do.
"My tactic was to be conservative on the first run to get some points on the scoreboard, then make a push for it on the second run.”
The highest-ranked skater in the field, Oda Yumeka of Japan who is third overall in the race to Paris, fell flat on the morning to finish out of the medals in fourth.