Uprising Tokyo: "Super-dope" Horigome Yuto saves best for last to win inaugural title

Horigome Yuto wouldn’t be Horigome Yuto if he weren't clutch.

And he proved it once again on Sunday (28 May) as the Olympic men’s street skateboarding champion secured the inaugural Uprising Tokyo title by overtaking Carlos Ribeiro on his last trick of the day.

Brazil's Ribeiro took an early lead by scoring a commanding 87.00 on his opening run at Ariake Arena.

Horigome was on the chase after firing blanks on his first two runs, sitting in fourth and seven points behind going into the final skate.

However, with the pressure mounting, Horigome - on the section replicating the famous Clipper Ledge spot in San Francisco - threw down a Switch 180 Crook to end up with the top score of 87.94 - and the shiniest silverware.

Sasaki Toa rounded out the podium with an 85.12.

“If I had been better in the first two runs, I actually had a different plan but in both runs I couldn’t land the last trick,” said Horigome, who will now turn his attention to the 18-25 June World Skateboarding Tour competition in Rome. “So I made some tweaks and I’m happy things turned out well.

“I’m really glad I won. It’s great to see all the people here at another skateboarding contest in Japan. My family is here and I wanted to skate well in front of them.

“I’m pleased I had the skate I was aiming for.”

• EXCLUSIVE: Horigome Yuto eyes second gold in Paris: "I've been able to discover the new me"
• Uprising Tokyo: Tommy Fynn, 34, holds off Horigome Yuto to secure top finalist spot
• Uprising Tokyo: 13-year-old Yoshizawa Coco leads women's qualifiers as contest gets under way
• How to qualify for skateboarding at Paris 2024

14-year-old Uemura Aoi tops women's field

Ribeiro tipped his hat to Horigome, saying he had a feeling the Japanese star just might have the last laugh.

“Super-dope,” the Brazilian said. “I actually feel like he did that trick on the real Clipper Ledge in San Francisco.

“Skateboarding is unpredictable but there are certain guys who have that consistency at the next level. Yuto definitely has that. He has shown it before.

“I never celebrate before because I feel disrespectful if I do. Especially Yuto, I knew he was going to land his last run. It’s almost hard to think that he will miss a trick.”

The women’s title went to 14-year-old Uemura Aoi (84.19), who is 11th in the Olympic World Skateboarding Rankings, the sixth highest from Japan.

Uemura on this day outshone those ranked above her, Yoshizawa Coco (82.41), Oda Yumeka (76.67), Akama Rizu (66.07) and Nakayama Funa (62.71).

Olympic gold medallist Nishiya Momiji, who didn’t compete here, was the only one Uemura didn’t beat.

Ahead of Rome, Uemura was over the moon to win a contest featuring some of the sport’s household names.

But the teenager was a little disappointed to find out she won’t be getting all the bang for her buck.

“I made a promise with my mother that if I finished, we could buy a dog,” she said. “But she just told me now, ‘I don’t remember making that promise.’"

Nakayama Funa hurt

There was some cause for concern in the women's final as Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Nakayama was injured on her second run, forcing to withdraw.

Coming off the railing imitating the Hollywood High skate spot in Los Angeles, Nakayama crash-landed on her left shoulder area and needed medical attention.

The 17-year-old was able to walk off on her own and taken to hospital for tests. Results were not immediately known.

Nakayama was scheduled to enter the Olympic qualifier in Rome next month.

Men's final - Sunday 28 May, Uprising Tokyo

1. Horigome Yuto - 87.94
2. Carlos Ribeiro - 87.00
3. Sasaki Toa - 85.12
4. Ikeda Daiki - 83.70
5. Netsuke Kairi - 82.35
6. Jake Ilardi - 78.52
7. Shirai Sora - 70.25
8. Tommy Fynn - 57.85
9. Cordano Russell - 51.76
10. Yabushita Momohei - 47.31

Women's final - Sunday 28 May, Uprising Tokyo

1. Uemura Aoi - 84.19
2. Yoshizawa Coco - 82.41
3. Onishi Nanami - 80.46
4. Oda Yumeka - 76.67
5. Ito Miyu - 74.01
6. Akama Rizu - 66.07
7. Nakayama Funa - 62.71
8. Maeda Hina - 51.18
9. Fujisawa Nanaka - 51.06
10. Sugimoto Niko - 37.30