WST Street World Championship 2023 Japan: Shirai Sora leads Japanese podium sweep in men's final
Shirai had two 95-plus scores in the trick section to take victory from Netsuke Kairi and Olympic champion Horigome Yuta with Nyjah Huston only seventh.
Skateboarding
Shirai Sora delighted the home crowd by winning the men's final at the WST Street World Championships 2023 in Tokyo on Sunday (17 December) to cap a 1-2-3 for the hosts.
Shirai also gave Japan the male-female sweep with Oda Yumeka winning the women’s crown earlier. It was the first championship for both Shirai and Oda.
Netsuke Kairi was second on 273.60 ahead of Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Horigome Yuto (273.28).
“I was really counting on this contest so I’m glad the hard work paid off,” said Shirai, who was runner-up in Rome in June but was sidelined for Lausanne in September by a knee injury.
“Until now, I’d reach the podium but never win it. I just couldn’t for a really long time and to do it in my home country, I couldn’t be happier.
“I still can’t believe it.”
The 22-year-old skater trailed his fellow bleach blond Netsuke after the run section, but hit a spectacular backslide tail slide on his first trick to score 95.66 and move into the lead.
And when he posted 92.85 on his second trick, celebrating with his samurai sword mime, Shirai had a daunting total of 274.51.
With victory secure, he improved on his final attempt with another huge trick, which earned him 95.15 for a 276.81 finish.
A perfect three-for-three in Paris 2024 qualifying going into these championships, Nyjah Huston only managed 68.05 on his first run and then crashed right at the start of his second try, seemingly injuring his left wrist.
That all but ruled him out of medal contention and, despite posting two 90-plus tricks, the USA star finished down in seventh place.
With Sunday’s victory, Shirai remained as the highest Japanese in the Olympic World Skateboarding Rankings, second overall behind only Huston, and is in excellent position to qualify for next summer’s Games.
At Tokyo 2020, Shirai failed to reach the final, so he will be out for payback in Paris.
“I’m really pessimistic. Everyone was telling me I looked good coming into this week but I couldn’t say I was confident,” he said.
“Deep down inside, I thought I might have a shot. I know more than anyone what I’m capable of but in all honesty, I didn’t think I’d actually win it.”