X Games Chiba 2023: Nyjah Huston makes surprise return to Japan: "I'm back at it"
In an exclusive chat with Olympics.com the 13-time X Games gold medallist says he has put the right-knee ACL tear behind him and will be in top gear for the Paris 2024 qualifiers - and the Games themselves.
Skateboarding
Surprise, surprise.
Nyjah Huston made an unannounced appearance at X Games Chiba 2023 on Friday (12 May), declaring himself ready to return to the top of his game - and for the upcoming long slog of Olympic skateboarding qualifiers.
“A couple of weeks ago I decided to come,” the 13-time X Games champion said, speaking exclusively to Olympics.com.
“I have been just trying to get back on my board lately. I skated a street league two weeks ago and that went good so after that I decided to come out here.
“I was already on the road before this; I was in Saudi Arabia and in Paris so I figured I’d make another stop before heading home.
“Now I’m here in Japan.”
Huston - in Japan for the first time since the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games - touched down Friday morning and practiced for almost two hours under the sizzling sun at ZOZO Marine Stadium ahead of the men’s street skateboarding elimination round on Saturday.
In mid-August, Huston ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, not long after winning the World Skate Street Skateboarding in Rome.
Nyjah Huston: Better than expected recovery
The 28-year-old made his competitive return at Tampa Pro in March and took third in Chicago last month on the Street League Skateboarding Championship Tour.
Huston said barring “some crazy massive obstacle,” he no longer favours the knee when skating. It was his performance in Chicago that convinced him he had his groove back.
“I feel great,” Huston said. “Just being out here skating and stuff, it really helps bring the confidence back fast.
“And I was scared I was going to take a few more months before competing at like a high level but I realised after Street League that I’m back - I’m back at it. It feels great.”
Huston said the rate of recovery from the ACL tear has eclipsed even his own expectations.
“Definitely, definitely better than expected. It took a lot of work though. It’s only been nine months right now but it’s because I was on it so fast.
“Even two weeks after surgery I was putting pressure on, starting to walk without crutches, going into PT.
“If you’re on it like that and you’re working out, putting in the work like I did, you can come back sooner.
“I’m also a fast healer,” he said with a sheepish grin.
Huston said he has zero concerns over his knee for the Paris 2024 qualifying events - and for the Games themselves.
He is craving to return to the Olympics in Paris, following a disappointing seventh-place finish at Tokyo 2020.
“Oh yeah,” Huston said when asked if he would be at the level he needed to be for next summer. “I’ve still got a whole year for that. I’m gonna be cruising.
“I would be stoked to have another chance, to go out there and represent the USA. I’m looking forward to hopefully being there.
“I just have to skate decent in a couple of qualifier events and we’ll be there, get another shot at it.”