Keegan Palmer wins gold for Australia in men's park skateboarding

Australia's Keegan Palmer scored not one but two brilliantly executed performances in the men's park skateboarding finals today to land him gold and Australia's first ever Olympic gold medal in skateboarding.

Palmer led the pack right after his first run where he scored a massive 94.04 which no one could surpass even after three rounds of the competition. But it was his third and final run that ultimately sealed that deal, as his score of 95.83 was the one to beat.

Palmer opened his mouth in disbelief after receiving top scores from the judges.

“It’s an absolute honour to skate with my friends. I can’t believe I’m here in Tokyo for the Olympics, skating with so many of my best friends from when I was little. And now we’re all on the podium together, and it’s an absolute honour," Palmer said.

“Everyone’s been training for so long, missing out on the last year. I worked my ass off a long time for this, and I saw it through to the end. I’m just grateful for everyone that’s been there for me, and I’d just like to say thank you.”

Skateboarding into Olympic history

Meanwhile, world no 4 Pedro Barros of Brazil showed his strut around the skateboard park by scoring an impressive 86.14 in his first run to clinch silver.

“Today isn't magic just because I have a medal on my neck. It’s magic because I was able, together with my friends - a bunch of kids - writing history," the 26-year-old Brazilian skateboarder said.

Barros says that his victory today goes beyond the sport.

“We’re making sport a better place, a better world. That’s what it’s really about."

"Skateboarding is a community, it’s a lifestyle. It goes way beyond just a sport. But it’s beautiful to see that we were able to do here now, competing in the biggest sport event in the world that showcases the power that we truly have when we’re together, sharing love and respect. It’s beautiful.

"I’m really honoured to be here with these guys.”

The camaraderie in skateboarding

Cory Juneau from the USA lands a bronze with his best score of 84.13.

Juneau who is good friends with gold medallist Palmer has this to say about him:

"I'm so proud of him. He's like a little brother to me. We've been skating together since we were little kids. I think I met him when I was 10 years old and he must have been like seven," the 22-year-old athlete said.

"We've been skating contests ever since, like growing up together, and he's kind of really stepped into his own and I'm just so proud to see him up there, figuring out what he wants to do and push himself.

"This is the best I've ever seen him skate, so he deserved it."