HANGZHOU, China – Cui Chenxi, a 13-year-old skateboarding sensation from China, has etched her name in history as the youngest-ever gold medallist at the Asian Games. Cui’s remarkable feat came in the women’s street event on the fourth day of competition in Hangzhou.
Her dazzling performance, filled with impressive ‘Ollies’ and a daring move off a high rail, which many of her older competitors chose to avoid, earned her the gold medal. Cui was followed by her compatriot Zeng Wenhui, 18, who secured the silver, while 16-year-old Japanese skateboarder Miyu Ito claimed the bronze.
Cui, hailing from China’s eastern Shandong province, only began skateboarding in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions that prevented her from practicing rollerblading, a sport she had been involved in since the age of three.
The women’s street event challenges skaters to execute daring tricks on a course designed to resemble an urban environment, complete with rails and gaps.
Competing under the bright, warm, and humid conditions of the skate park, participants shared their airspace with scores of dragonflies as they showcased their skills. The women skaters completed two ‘runs’ followed by five individual ‘tricks,’ with the highest-scoring run and two highest-scoring tricks determining their final score.
Margielyn Didal, a 24-year-old gold medallist from the Philippines at the 2018 Asian Games, found herself as the most experienced competitor in the field, as all other finalists were aged 18 or younger. Due to the age requirement, Didal was the only athlete in the final not mandated to wear a helmet or knee padding.
Reflecting on her performance, Didal quipped, “I don’t feel old because I’m also a bit childish; I just want to mess around.” However, she also expressed a sense of being left out as the only participant without protective gear. An injury in the final ultimately saw her finish last among the eight skaters.
Cui Chenxi’s historic victory has not only made her the talk of the town but has also spotlighted the ever-evolving landscape of skateboarding and the incredible talent emerging from a new generation of athletes.
