World Street Skateboard Rome 2022: Nakayama Funa takes women's final ahead of Olympic champion Nishiya Momiji in all-Japanese podium
The Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist turned in a commanding display in Rome to claim victory at the first qualifier for Paris 2024.
Skateboarding
Nakayama Funa of Japan topped her run of dominance in Rome with a sensational victory in the women’s final on Sunday (3 July) at World Skate Street Skateboarding.
The Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist threw down the highest-scoring trick (91.92) of the final - kickflip out to front sideboard slide – to guarantee her spot at the top of the table with an untouchable score of 264.13.
"I am so happy," Nakayama told Olympics.com after her win. "I tried my best and gave it my all."
WATCH: World Street Skateboarding Rome 2022 live on Olympics.com
The 17-year-old was very much the woman to beat having qualified for the semi-finals and finals in first place. And after failing to land her first two tricks out of five, the pressure was on.
"I had made the first trick yesterday with one attempt, so I thought I could do it again, but I failed. And at the second trick, it was painful. At that moment, I thought I might not make it.
"Now I feel relieved because I did it," she added with a smile.
The rider from Toyama's perseverance saw her claim the win in Rome ahead of Olympic champion Nishiya Momiji.
The 14-year-old finished in second place (255.64), with Oda Yumeka third (254.91) and Akama Rizu fourth (245.62) as Japanese skaters ran riot.
It was a tough night for Brazil with Tokyo silver medallist Rayssa Leal (247.69) down in fifth place and number-one ranked street skateboarder Pamela Rosa (205.80) eighth.
The 22-year-old was out of contention after only managing 44.43 on her best run before the trick rounds.
Chloe Covell of Australia finished her impressive run in Rome in seventh place with a total of 230.59.
The 12-year-old led the field after the run, but could not raise her game to match the increasing trick difficulty being thrown down by her rivals. However, she showed her promise this weekend with her switch skating and is one to watch for the future.
MORE: Chloe Covell: The Australian tween skateboarding upstart setting her sights on the big time
World Street Skateboarding Rome 2022: Women's final results
- Nakayama Funa (JPN) 264.13
- Nishiya Momiji (JPN) 255.64
- Oda Yumeka (JPN) 254.91
- Akama Rizu (JPN) 254.62
- Rayssa Leal (BRA) 247.69
- Yoshizawa Coco (JPN) 242.51
- Chloe Covell (AUS) 230.59
- Pamela Rosa (BRA) 205.80
The men’s final featuring Olympic champion Horigome Yuto and Nyjah Huston will begin at 21:00 CEST.