World Skate Games Italia 2024: Augusto Akio leaves it late to claim men's world park skateboarding crown
After claiming silver in the men's world vert championship less than two weeks ago, the Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist threw down a spectacular final run to win ahead of Pedro Barros and Viktor Solmunde in Ostia, Rome.
Skateboarding
Brazil's Augusto Akio put down a superb third run to win the men's park skateboarding world title at the World Skate Games Italia 2024 on Sunday (22 September).
The 23-year-old skateboarder, enjoying a memorable summer in Europe after claiming bronze in the same event at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, was awarded a 93.53 score for his late contest heroics, which ultimately proved enough for gold.
Viktor Solmunde had held the provisional lead for the bulk of the eight-men world championship final after jumping into first with his opening 90.53 score. The rest of the field then made chase but mostly struggled to land anything without bailing, allowing the Dane to go unchallenged.
It wasn't until Pedro Barros' third attempt - incidentally the fourth clean run of the night - that Solmunde was finally bumped off his perch, with the Brazilian moving into the lead (90.72). But it was a position Barros wouldn't hold for long.
Fifth qualifier Akio, having bailed on his first two tries, put down a clean run of his own. His unique interpretation of the course matched with a string of difficult tricks saw him wrest first place.
With Luigi Cini falling on his third try, hopes of an all-Brazilian podium then rested with Kalani Konig, who earned the right to last-reply after qualifying for the final in first. However, the 17-year-old fell for a third consecutive time on his opening trick which meant the top three held on to their positions - and Akio, his crown.
There was still plenty for Brazil to celebrate as they now leave the World Skate Games Italia 2024 with both park world titles thanks to the earlier efforts of Raicca Ventura, who came out on top in the women's event.
World Skate Games Italia 2024: Men's park skateboarding final results
- Augusto Akio (BRA) - 93.53
- Pedro Barros (BRA) - 90.72
- Viktor Solmunde (DEN) - 90.58
- Luigi Cini (BRA) - 87.49
- Egoitz Bijueska (ESP) - 86.91
- Hampus Winberg (SWE) - 85.18
- Alessandro Mazzara (ITA) - 75.58
- Kalani Konig (BRA) - 2.77