Skateboarding Park World Championships 2022 in 2023: Sky Brown claims first world title
The three medallists from Tokyo 2020 finished in reverse order on the podium in the World Championship final in Sharjah, streamed live on Olympics.com.
Skateboarding
Sky Brown took the women's title at the 2022 Skateboarding Park World Championships in 2023 on Sunday (12 February).
The Briton put down a sensational second run at Sharjah's Aljada Skate Park - featuring a Kickflip Indy and ending with a frontside 540 - for a score of 89.63.
And with her victory already confirmed, she went even better with a 90.83 to put an exclamation mark on her first global title after winning bronze medals at the 2019 World Championships and the Olympic Games.
Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Hiraki Kokona held the lead before Brown's second run with a 86.66 but an early fall on her final run meant she could not improve.
After a lacklustre first run, Olympic champion Yosozumi Sakura fell on her second to leave her needing something big at the end.
And the 20-year-old delivered, scoring 85.15 to make it onto the podium five years after becoming world champion.
Kusaki Hinano of Japan was the last skater who could overtake Brown and looked on course for a strong score, but fell with 15 seconds to leave her in fourth.
"I'm so stoked. The level has increased so much since the last contest," Brown told Olympics.com after claiming the win.
"I'm so glad to be back on the podium with Sakura and Kokona. I just had so much fun it was incredible, and landing all three of my runs was crazy - I'm so stoked."
Bryce Wettstein was the best of the three American finalists in fifth place.
WATCH: Skateboarding | Olympic Qualifier | Finals | Park World Championships | Sharjah
Brown has added the world title to an impressive list of wins including at last year's Summer X Games and Dew Tour.
Speaking about the level of her skating right now the 14-year-old said, "I'm so stoked to be in this position. I'm so thankful for everything, having an amazing support, having all my supporters just cheer me on all the time giving me the best fire ever. I'm just thankful to have the people around me and thankful to be here."
The Team GB rider also added her praise on compatriot Lola Tambling who finished the competition in sixth place:
“Oh my god, I am so proud of her. She used a bunch of things not many other girls use and I was just so stoked for her you know and Team GB - it was really sick."
As well as becoming world champion, Brown takes maximum points towards qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
You missed the action? We've got you covered. You can watch the replay here.
Park Skateboarding World Championships 2022: Women's final results and best run scores
- Sky Brown (GBR) 90.83
- Hiraki Kokona (JPN) 86.66
- Yosozumi Sakura (JPN) 85.15
- Kusaki Hinano (JPN) 84.50
- Bryce Wettstein (USA) 84.40
- Lola Tambling (GBR) 81.53
- Minna Stess (USA) 80.33
- Grace Marhoefer (USA) 80.18