Emotional Jagger Eaton rocks Shanghai Urban Park to win street title at Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai
The two-way American edges Japan's Onodera Ginwoo for top spot on the podium with countryman Chris Joslin placing third. Two hours later he finished third in the park final.
Skateboarding
Jagger Eaton could not hold back his tears during the victory ceremony after winning the men's skateboarding street competition at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai on Sunday (19 May).
The street-and-park rider put on a brilliant performance in a no-holds-barred final for a 278.28 total - a run score of 92.55 and 93.13/92.60 on tricks - to beat 14-year-old Japanese wunderkind Onodera Ginwoo (277.34), who had the day’s best run of 92.81.
There was no time to talk for Eaton but the reactions on his face as the national anthem was played said everything everyone needed to know about what the victory meant.
He who was rushed out of the arena after the trophy presentation had concluded to prepare for the men's park final in just over two hours.
"I woke up this morning just optimistic. Excited. In street I had a good idea of what would win," said Eaton. "I knew if I upgraded my run in my second attempt I would get a great score, and in best tricks I knew the scores my tricks could get, and I just went out and did it. I’m grateful that it translated. I’m grateful for today."
And he showed that it is possible to excel in street and park at the same event.
“I definitely proved that it can be done, but the question is, can it be repeated? I’m very optimistic. My skating feels unbelievable. I feel like if I did a bit of recovery right now I could go skate street for the rest of the day, or go play some golf."
His compatriot Chris Joslin, who rounded out the street podium in third with a 94.61 final trick for a 275.34 total, also had an emotional day.
Joslin dedicated them to his grandma who recently passed away.
Across the contest, she has been at the forefront of Joslin’s skating with the letters ‘G’, ‘M’ and ‘A’ sprayed on his board plain to see.
“It’s been an emotional week for sure,” Joslin reflected afterwards. “(I dedicate this) to my grandma. She’s the reason I landed everything right now. I left it all in her hands.“
Japan's Sasaki Toa wound up fourth (271.46), one place above U.S. superstar Nyjah Huston on 239.07, who seemed hampered by an injury to his ankle.
But even as he struggled he continued to support his teammates Eaton and Joslin as they ripped through the course.
Eaton got the crowd fired up – and himself too.
Skating to the music of "Rocky", the 23-year-old U.S. star delivered a stunning second run, worth 92.55 points.
The dual-threat visibly enjoyed himself, beaming with joy and waving to the fans.
Eaton not only brought his swagger to the Shanghai Urban Park. He had to dig deep, and he delivered.
The five-time X-Games medallist is no stranger to creating special moments. He clinched bronze in the street competition at Tokyo 2020, a historic feat as it was U.S.’s first-ever Olympic skateboarding medal.
The two-time world champion is also the first skateboarder to win world titles in both street and park.
Now he can add the OQS Shanghai win to his growing list of accolades.
And this was just the beginning. A mere two hours later, Eaton left his mark in the park final, clinching third place behind winner Tate Carew (USA) and Olympic champion Keegan Palmer (Australia).
All the skateboarding action from the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai is available live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com or the official Olympics app for mobile devices.
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Olympic Qualifier Series: Men's street final results
- Jagger Eaton (USA) - 278.28
- Onodera Ginwoo (JPN) - 277.34
- Chris Joslin (USA) - 275.34
- Sasaki Toa (JPN) - 271.46
- Nyjah Huston (USA) - 239.07
- Gustavo Ribeiro (POR) - 182.00
- Giovanni Vianna (BRA) - 177.39
- Netsuke Kairi (JPN) - 174.77