Keegan Palmer lays down marker of intent in men’s park semi-final at Olympic Qualifier Series
The Australian gold medallist led seven skaters through to the men’s park final including Jagger Eaton who continues his quest for the skateboarding double. All the action is streaming live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com.
Skateboarding
Keegan Palmer stamped his authority on the competition to qualify first for the men’s park final at the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) in Shanghai, People's Republic of China on Saturday (18 May).
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion put together a statement 87.49 score with his third run in heat one and none of the remaining 15 other skaters were able to topple him.
“My heart’s still pounding. I’ve got goosebumps right now from that run. I almost fell on my second trick, but brought it back, then I boosted a 540… Man, I don’t know. That was crazy,” a fired-up Palmer reflected afterwards.
“I was just thinking to myself, ‘If (the judges) want the best, they’re gonna get the best.’”
Qualifying in second was USA’s Tate Carew, who was one of three U.S. skaters to make the final. World champion Gavin Bottger had a nervous wait with his fate decided after top qualifier Keefer Wilson failed to make the cut.
Jagger Eaton similarly had to overcome the mounting pressure.
Less than two hours after qualifying in first place for the men’s street final he fell on his first two park runs. Eaton subsequently had every person in the stands holding their breath as he went for his third and final attempt to book a ticket for the final.
Under the cosh, he delivered, producing an 81.49 to qualify in sixth place.
“I’m just grateful to be alive and walking,” the Tokyo 2020 street bronze medallist said after. “There’s no preparing for this. No preparing yourself for this level of competition and making both finals.
“I’m so excited to get dinner and to chill and to get ready for tomorrow and be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the morning because I am going after it tomorrow.”
Completing the final eight are Brazilian trio Luigi Cini, Pedro Barros and Augusto Akio, and Australian Kieran Woolley.
All the skateboarding action from the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai is streaming live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com the official Olympics app for mobile devices. Territorial restrictions may apply.
Olympic Qualifier Series: Men's park semifinal results
The top 16 qualified for the semifinals.
Best run score of three attempts
- Keegan Palmer (AUS) - 87.49
- Tate Carew (USA) - 85.50
- Luigi Cini (BRA) - 84.11
- Pedro Barros (BRA) - 82.21
- Augusto Akio (BRA) - 81.72
- Jagger Eaton (USA) - 81.49
- Kieran Woolley (AUS) - 81.11
- Gavin Bottger (USA) - 80.12
- Tom Schaar (USA) - 79.30
- Alex Sorgente (ITA) - 78.87
- Alain Kortabitarte (ESP) - 77.36
- Keefer Wilson (AUS) - 76.92
- Pedro Quintas (BRA) - 75.28
- Danny Leon (ESP) - 35.13
- Nagahara Yuro (JPN) - 31.66
- Pedro Carvalho (BRA) - 21.00
How to watch park skateboarding at the Olympic Qualifier Series?
All the skateboarding action from the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai is streaming live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com the official Olympics app for mobile devices.
Territorial restrictions may apply.