American skateboarders Nyjah Huston and Jagger Eaton landed on the podium in last week's Olympic Mens Skateboard Street event, but it was defending gold medalist Yuto Horigome earned himself his second gold medal in as many Olympic Skateboard Street events.
Huston and Eaton found themselves poised for a podium finish following the run section as they headed into the best trick in first and second place. The competition format for the Olympic Street Skateboarding event follows that of the World Skate events, with the 2-5-3 system, which gives skaters two 45-second runs and five single-best trick attempts, producing three of their top scores. Each scored out of 100 and to two decimal points (i.e. 300.00 maximum total). Going into his final best trick attempt, Horigome needed a score of 96.99 or higher to jump into first place. In his final attempt he put down a nollie backside 270 to nose blunt down the handrail (a trick that previously scored him a 97), which catapulted him into first place and secured Horigome his second Olympic gold medal.
Horigome finished with a score of 281.14 and Eaton with a 281.04. If Jagger Eaton landed his final trick (which he needed a 94 or higher,), he would have secured gold. Commentator and legendary skateboarder Ryan Sheckler called the contest the most competitive and technical competition skateboarding he's ever witnessed.
Congrats Nyjah, Jagger and Yuto!
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