Keegan Palmer Dominates Again: Australia’s Skateboarding Star Wins Olympic Gold at Paris Games

The competition drew skaters of all ages, from a 16-year-old fresh face to a 51-year-old veteran.

PARIS, France — Australia’s Keegan Palmer scored an impressive 93.11 on Wednesday to successfully defend his Olympic park skateboarding title at the Paris Games.

His performance captivated a star-studded audience, including skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, Snoop Dogg, and U.S. basketball star Devin Booker.

The 21-year-old Palmer had first claimed gold in the sport’s Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago. Dominating the prelims and maintaining his lead through the finals with his top score during the first of his three runs, Palmer’s victory was clear early on.

Securing the gold medal before his final run, Palmer fell during his third attempt but had done enough with his initial run to guarantee victory.

American Tom Schaar secured silver with a 92.23 score on his second run. After opening the finals with a 90.11, Schaar executed more challenging tricks to clinch second place.

Brazil’s Augusto Akio won bronze, scoring 91.85 on his final run. He entertained the audience with juggling acts before the prelims and even performed a routine with his skateboard in his mouth after the first round.

Akio just edged out his teammate Pedro Barros, who scored 91.65 to finish fourth.

American Tate Carew, ranked No. 1 in the World Skate standings, ended the competition in fifth place with a score of 91.17. On his third run, Carew looked poised to top that score and secure a podium finish, but he fell with just 14 seconds left.

Italy’s Alex Sorgente came in sixth at 84.26, Brazil’s Luigi Cini took seventh with 76.89, and Australia’s Keefer Wilson finished eighth with 58.36.

American Gavin Bottger, who had won gold at the previous year’s World Skateboarding Championship, was eliminated after finishing 10th in the prelims with a score of 86.95.

Among those failing to make the finals were 51-year-old Andy Macdonald and 49-year-old South African Dallas Oberholzer.

Macdonald made history as the oldest skateboarder to compete in the Olympics. Alongside Oberholzer, he represented the older generation in a sport featuring competitors as young as 16-year-old Viktor Solmunde from Denmark.

Macdonald concluded his run in 18th place with a score of 77.66, while Oberholzer finished last with 33.83, mirroring his placement from the Tokyo Games.

“People ask if I’m going for the gold, and I tell them: If they’re awarding gold medals for having the most fun, I’ve got it wrapped up,” Macdonald said. “I definitely won the gold medal for most fun.”

Palmer’s victory in Paris marked Australia’s second skateboarding gold in as many days, following 14-year-old Arisa Trew’s win in the women’s park event, making her the country’s youngest ever Olympic champion.