Latest news with #skateboarding
News.com.au
19 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
More gold but no more pets: Australia's Olympic sweetheart makes even more history
At just 15 years of age, Arisa Trew continues to break records and build a formidable skating legacy. Last year, aged 14, Trew became the youngest-ever Australian to win an Olympic gold medal and since then has only gone from strength to strength as she breaks record after record. Last weekend Trew took home gold in Women's Skateboard Park and Vert at X Games Osaka, which means the teenager now holds more X Games Skateboard gold medals than any other woman. While the two more golds also means she is now tied with Fabiola da Silva for the most X Games summer discipline golds by a woman as well. Such is Trew's dominance, she has now taken home gold in the last three X Games in both Vert and Park and has a chance to claim another pair of first place finishes at the featured X Games this weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. You can watch her incredible Women's Skateboard Park run in the player above. Speaking to ahead of the event, Trew was beaming with pride as she spoke about her recent success. 'It is all just so much fun and I was really excited to compete (in Osaka) and it all went so good,' a humble Trew said in an interview with 'I came first on the first day which was really good and I got a victory lap because I had already won with my first run and then yesterday I backed it up by getting another gold and also another victory run, which is pretty cool.' Skaters have two 45-second runs with the best of two counted, but the fact Trew had already won both events before taking to the course for a second time meant she was able to do whatever she pleased, an opportunity for the Aussie phenom to take some chances and try out extra manoeuvres. 'When I have a victory run, I still just try and improve my run because, like, now I kind of know well I don't have to improve on it as I'm already first,' Trew said. 'So I just try my best to add tricks and improve and just have fun really.' Arisa Trew eyes up complete skateboarding domination Trew - who recently signed a sponsorship deal with energy drink giant Monster - is not just inspiring new generations of skaters, but her competitive attitude and willingness to push the boundaries has seen her quickly become a dominant force in her sport. And she revealed to that she is looking at expanding her range of events to include competing in MegaPark, an event exclusive to the X Games, which involves bigger ramps and therefore provides competitors with a greater chance to pull off more difficult and larger combinations. 'For now I'm just, like, going to keep skating for as long as I can because I really love skating and it's really fun and I love it,' Trew continued. 'I think I'm, like going to love skating my whole life because my life now kind of revolves around skateboarding. But I have thought a bit about also competing in a different discipline like Mega Park. 'I've only done mini mega once but it was really, really fun, so that might be next for me to try.' Arisa Trew draws comparisons to legendary skater Tony Hawk Along with a record amount of X Games golds, Trew also is the only woman to ever land a 900 – 2.5 revolutions at the top of the vertical ramp - albeit in practice. It is a trick that was made famous by legendary skater Tony Hawk and so far Trew is the only female to ever pull it off. Sharing the video of her completing the technically difficult manoeuvre on social media last year, Trew wrote: 'A dream come true! My first 900'. Vertical skating – where Trew landed the 900 – is not an Olympic event but her goal is to land it in competition, potentially at the upcoming X Games in Salt Lake. Last year Trew tried it in competition but didn't pull it off. But what better time than at the X Games' 30th anniversary this year, to nail it in competition. Trew, however, made no promises she would attempt it again this weekend, as she said she wants to potentially try it again in practice before attempting it on the big stage. 'I think I'd probably want to try to do it again in practice first because I have only tried it a couple of times,' Trew said. 'The ramps also need to be big enough. But if I feel good I could probably try it there (at Salt Lake City) if it feels good and if I try I think I could land it.' Arisa Trew on dealing with fame With success, Olympic gold and X Games domination comes plenty of fans. And the teenager says following her Paris Games triumph she was stopped everywhere from the shops to the beach, but admits as time has gone on it happens less and less, unless she is at a skateboard meet. 'After the Olympics, like, I came home and I would, like, get stopped a lot for pictures and things, at the airport, shops at the beach, at the skate park, there's always people,' Trew said. 'But like I thought it was so cool because they supported me and are there for me and I know I am doing well and they like the sport. 'Now it's not like that unless I'm at a skate park. I can go out and it will be like 0 to 2 people that will stop and talk to me but like at the X Games on the weekend I couldn't go two steps before like a million people wanting my signature or photos. But that's just really cool. 'I also changed my signature so my coach made my signature the first year I competed but I have changed it to dot the I with a heart so it's more me.' Arisa Trew shares update on duck Goldy and future pet plans After claiming gold at last year's Paris Games, Trew warmed the hearts of the entire world when she seemed almost more excited about getting a duck - which was promised to her by her parents if she won - than the gold medal itself. Speaking after taking gold in Paris about wanting a duck Trew said: 'They're really cute, I can take it to the skate park.' 'Mum and Dad won't let me get a dog or a cat and I think a duck might be a little bit easier.' And when asked about Goldie the duck and if her parents had made any other pet wagers Trew chuckled stating there won't be any more new additions any time soon. 'Well, my parents have said they don't want any more pets because we already have four animals (a duck, two cockatiels and a blue-tongued lizard) and that is kind of a lot.' 'I would definitely want more pets if I had more time for them. But I feel like I need to not be travelling as much, so, yeah, no more pet promises,' she continued. 'But yeah, Goldie is great. He's at home right now and my friends are looking after him because my mum also came for this trip and usually he would be at home looking after Goldie and my other animals. 'But, yeah, he's doing really good. He loves coming to the skate park and hanging out with everyone, going to the beach. And he loves just being around us and following us around and we love taking him to the beach, on car rides and to the skate parks.' So what's next for Arisa Trew? In the short term, Trew has one more X Games to compete in this weekend, before her schedule opens up and she can finally have a bit of downtime. But in the long term, more X Games gold and a plan to compete at the next Olympics in Los Angeles as well as the 2032 Games in Brisbane, barely an hour away from where she grew up on the Gold Coast, is the goal for the teenage sensation. By Brisbane she'll be 22, a veteran in skateboarding terms, but still one of the youngsters on the Olympics squad. But before then there is no doubt Trew will continue cleaning up gold medals, inspiring younger generations to skate and taking all the fame in her stride as she has done since the last Olympic Games.
Daily Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Australia's Olympic sweetheart Arisa Trew makes more history and makes bold pet call, X Games Salt Lake City, Osaka, Goldie the duck
Don't miss out on the headlines from Olympics. Followed categories will be added to My News. At just 15 years of age, Arisa Trew continues to break records and build a formidable skating legacy. Last year, aged 14, Trew became the youngest-ever Australian to win an Olympic gold medal and since then has only gone from strength to strength as she breaks record after record. Last weekend Trew took home gold in Women's Skateboard Park and Vert at X Games Osaka, which means the teenager now holds more X Games Skateboard gold medals than any other woman. While the two more golds also means she is now tied with Fabiola da Silva for the most X Games summer discipline golds by a woman as well. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Such is Trew's dominance, she has now taken home gold in the last three X Games in both Vert and Park and has a chance to claim another pair of first place finishes at the featured X Games this weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. You can watch her incredible Women's Skateboard Park run in the player above. Speaking to ahead of the event, Trew was beaming with pride as she spoke about her recent success. 'It is all just so much fun and I was really excited to compete (in Osaka) and it all went so good,' a humble Trew said in an interview with Arisa Trew has continued to dominate the skateboarding world. Image: Getty 'I came first on the first day which was really good and I got a victory lap because I had already won with my first run and then yesterday I backed it up by getting another gold and also another victory run, which is pretty cool.' Skaters have two 45-second runs with the best of two counted, but the fact Trew had already won both events before taking to the course for a second time meant she was able to do whatever she pleased, an opportunity for the Aussie phenom to take some chances and try out extra manoeuvres. Arisa Trew became the youngest-ever Australian to win an Olympic gold medal last year. 'When I have a victory run, I still just try and improve my run because, like, now I kind of know well I don't have to improve on it as I'm already first,' Trew said. 'So I just try my best to add tricks and improve and just have fun really.' Arisa Trew eyes up complete skateboarding domination Trew - who recently signed a sponsorship deal with energy drink giant Monster - is not just inspiring new generations of skaters, but her competitive attitude and willingness to push the boundaries has seen her quickly become a dominant force in her sport. And she revealed to that she is looking at expanding her range of events to include competing in MegaPark, an event exclusive to the X Games, which involves bigger ramps and therefore provides competitors with a greater chance to pull off more difficult and larger combinations. 'For now I'm just, like, going to keep skating for as long as I can because I really love skating and it's really fun and I love it,' Trew continued. 'I think I'm, like going to love skating my whole life because my life now kind of revolves around skateboarding. But I have thought a bit about also competing in a different discipline like Mega Park. 'I've only done mini mega once but it was really, really fun, so that might be next for me to try.' Olympic Gold Medallist Arisa Trew at Elanora Skatepark on the Gold Coast. Picture: Richard Walker Arisa Trew celebrates winning the gold medal at the end of the women's park skateboarding final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) Arisa Trew draws comparisons to legendary skater Tony Hawk Along with a record amount of X Games golds, Trew also is the only woman to ever land a 900 – 2.5 revolutions at the top of the vertical ramp - albeit in practice. It is a trick that was made famous by legendary skater Tony Hawk and so far Trew is the only female to ever pull it off. Sharing the video of her completing the technically difficult manoeuvre on social media last year, Trew wrote: 'A dream come true! My first 900'. Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk (pictured) was the first person to ever pull off a 900. (Photo by) Vertical skating – where Trew landed the 900 – is not an Olympic event but her goal is to land it in competition, potentially at the upcoming X Games in Salt Lake. Last year Trew tried it in competition but didn't pull it off. But what better time than at the X Games' 30th anniversary this year, to nail it in competition. Trew, however, made no promises she would attempt it again this weekend, as she said she wants to potentially try it again in practice before attempting it on the big stage. 'I think I'd probably want to try to do it again in practice first because I have only tried it a couple of times,' Trew said. 'The ramps also need to be big enough. But if I feel good I could probably try it there (at Salt Lake City) if it feels good and if I try I think I could land it.' Arisa Trew continues to win gold medal after gold medal. Picture: Richard Walker Arisa Trew on dealing with fame With success, Olympic gold and X Games domination comes plenty of fans. And the teenager says following her Paris Games triumph she was stopped everywhere from the shops to the beach, but admits as time has gone on it happens less and less, unless she is at a skateboard meet. 'After the Olympics, like, I came home and I would, like, get stopped a lot for pictures and things, at the airport, shops at the beach, at the skate park, there's always people,' Trew said. 'But like I thought it was so cool because they supported me and are there for me and I know I am doing well and they like the sport. 'Now it's not like that unless I'm at a skate park. I can go out and it will be like 0 to 2 people that will stop and talk to me but like at the X Games on the weekend I couldn't go two steps before like a million people wanting my signature or photos. But that's just really cool. 'I also changed my signature so my coach made my signature the first year I competed but I have changed it to dot the I with a heart so it's more me.' Arisa Trew says it took some time to adjust to her new-found fame. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) Arisa Trew shares update on duck Goldy and future pet plans After claiming gold at last year's Paris Games, Trew warmed the hearts of the entire world when she seemed almost more excited about getting a duck - which was promised to her by her parents if she won - than the gold medal itself. Speaking after taking gold in Paris about wanting a duck Trew said: 'They're really cute, I can take it to the skate park.' Arisa Trew often takes Goldie (pictured) to the skate park with her. Picture Instagram 'Mum and Dad won't let me get a dog or a cat and I think a duck might be a little bit easier.' And when asked about Goldie the duck and if her parents had made any other pet wagers Trew chuckled stating there won't be any more new additions any time soon. 'Well, my parents have said they don't want any more pets because we already have four animals (a duck, two cockatiels and a blue-tongued lizard) and that is kind of a lot.' 'I would definitely want more pets if I had more time for them. But I feel like I need to not be travelling as much, so, yeah, no more pet promises,' she continued. 'But yeah, Goldie is great. He's at home right now and my friends are looking after him because my mum also came for this trip and usually he would be at home looking after Goldie and my other animals. 'But, yeah, he's doing really good. He loves coming to the skate park and hanging out with everyone, going to the beach. And he loves just being around us and following us around and we love taking him to the beach, on car rides and to the skate parks.' So what's next for Arisa Trew? In the short term, Trew has one more X Games to compete in this weekend, before her schedule opens up and she can finally have a bit of downtime. But in the long term, more X Games gold and a plan to compete at the next Olympics in Los Angeles as well as the 2032 Games in Brisbane, barely an hour away from where she grew up on the Gold Coast, is the goal for the teenage sensation. By Brisbane she'll be 22, a veteran in skateboarding terms, but still one of the youngsters on the Olympics squad. But before then there is no doubt Trew will continue cleaning up gold medals, inspiring younger generations to skate and taking all the fame in her stride as she has done since the last Olympic Games. Originally published as More gold but no more pets: Australia's Olympic sweetheart makes even more history
Arab News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
From pavement to passion: Islamabad's young skateboarders push for recognition
ISLAMABAD: On a hot summer afternoon in Islamabad's F-9 Park, laughter echoed across the cracked concrete as teenagers cruised over curbs and kick-flipped their boards with casual defiance. For this small but growing community of skateboarders in the Pakistani capital, the pavement is a playground — and a protest. Globally, skateboarding has long been associated with youth culture. It is a sport that thrives in urban settings and offers young people a sense of identity, freedom, and creative expression. Since its rise in the United States in the 1960s, it has evolved into a global movement, now part of the Olympic Games and supported by thriving communities from Brazil to Japan. In this context, Pakistan is fertile ground for the growth of skateboarding — a nation of over 240 million people where nearly 64% of the population is under the age of 30. But the country does not officially recognize skateboarding as a sport. Its official game is field hockey but cricket dominates pitches, TV screens and public discourse. Other sports like football, badminton and volleyball enjoy some government support but skateboarding remains entirely on the fringes. 'There's not even one dedicated skate shop in Pakistan,' said Ali Hamza, a 21-year-old engineering student who founded Skate Pakistan, a grassroots movement using Instagram to grow and connect the local skate scene. 'It's still seen by many as a toy.' Hamza's Instagram page, started in 2021 'just to see if anyone else was skating,' soon connected him to others across Islamabad and beyond. Today, Skate Pakistan meetups attract 12–15 regulars, with larger competitions drawing dozens. Most participants are teenagers with limited access to professional training or gear, and the initiative is driven entirely by volunteers and enthusiasts, growing into a fledgling community of teens and young adults passionate about the sport and eager to see it taken seriously. Hamza's own introduction to skateboarding came through Hollywood films as a child. At the time, he assumed the aerial tricks were camera tricks. 'Honestly, I used to think it was fake,' he said, laughing. 'Like, how can a board that's not even attached to your feet fly up like that?' Curious, he bought a cheap board from a local sports shop in 2019. With no coaches or skateparks in Islamabad, Hamza turned to YouTube tutorials and online courses to learn the basics. 'My first day on the board, my father was holding one arm and my brother held the other. I was just praying I wouldn't fall,' he said. Fall he did and repeatedly. But with each tumble, he said, the fear wore off. 'The more I fell, the more this fear lessened.' While Pakistan has a few modest skateparks — including one in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, and another set up with German NGO support in Karachi in 2020 — most skateboarders still ride on sidewalks, underpasses, or abandoned lots. Security guards at parks often ask them to leave. Potholes, rough terrain, and broken pavement pose daily hazards. But the lack of infrastructure and support hasn't stopped the community from growing. 'I mean, it's fun, it's something physical, you're out with your friends, so why not?' said Hasaan Khan, 16, a regular at the sessions held in Islamabad's F-9 park. 'Skateboarding builds up your endurance, since you keep falling over and over again,' added Rija Mughal, also 16. 'It's pretty good for your physical health too.' BUILDING A MOVEMENT For many, skateboarding took off during COVID-19, when lockdowns closed schools and sports grounds. 'I found an old skateboard at home during COVID, had nothing else to do, so I started riding around,' said Ahmed Ali Rana, who was 13 at the time. 'It just clicked.' Rana said he was nervous at his first Skate Pakistan competition but was surprised by how welcoming everyone was. 'That's the best part. It's not just about the sport, it's about the friends and the community.' Zayan Nadir, another teen skater, said skating gave him a mental escape: 'It helps people get away from their problems. But to build a bigger community in Pakistan, you need more skate shops, more skate parks, and more freedom for skaters.' Currently, there's no national or provincial skateboarding federation, and the Pakistan Sports Board does not include the sport in its list of recognized disciplines. In contrast, neighboring India has had multiple international skateboarding events and boasts over two dozen skateparks, including some that cater to underprivileged youth. The inclusion of skateboarding in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games also helped raise its profile globally, particularly among younger audiences. Yet, in Pakistan, there is little official recognition, funding, or visibility. Hamza said public perception also remained a big hurdle. 'There's still this idea that a skateboard is a toy, not a sport,' he said. 'That's what we are trying to change through social media.' At a recent meetup, teenagers practiced ollies and kick turns on a concrete ramp while others filmed slow-motion footage for Instagram reels. There were no referees, no medals — just scratched boards, scraped knees, and smiles. Hamza said the goal now was to push for formal recognition and better infrastructure so more young people across Pakistan could skate without obstacles — literal or social. 'We just want people to see that this is serious,' he said. 'It deserves space, support and respect.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Man skateboards from Brighton to Africa in 55 days
A 21-year-old man has skateboarded from Brighton to Africa in 55 Allison skated some 1,500 miles (2,415km) to Tangier in Morocco - taking a downhill tumble and getting all his possessions stolen along the he kept going to raise awareness of mental health and has so far made more than £5,000 for the Ben Raemers Foundation, a charity supporting wellbeing in the skateboarding community."I had my own challenges with mental health," said Mr Allison. "The skate scene is very tight-knit, it's very community driven, so having a service like that within the community is amazing." It was a gruelling physical challenge, which Mr Allison told BBC Radio Sussex meant he would need to cover between 30 and 55 miles every day."It was definitely harder at first. But my body kinda got used to it pretty quick and it just felt like the norm because I would wake up and I just knew what I had to do every day," he on a skateboard on flat pavements is one thing - but Mr Allison's route got a little bumpy at times."Going up was definitely harder - but downwards is a saving grace because I could save all my energy going downhill, I wouldn't have to push and it was super fun, the adrenalin [was] running," he said."But I did have a bit of a tumble going down one of the hills, my arm got a bit scraped up."All in all I think I've done pretty well - I only fell the one time during the whole trip, so I'm proud of that."After setting his fundraising target at only £100, Mr Allison was amazed as the donations started rolling in."On the last day I cracked over £5,000, which was crazy. It just sort of went mad," he the money will be going to charity, while Mr Allison will no doubt need to invest in a new pair of wheels for his skateboard."I did the one pair of wheels - I will say they're absolutely haggard," he laughed.
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
How to watch X Games Salt Lake City Day 1: Competition begins in Utah
The X Games honors its 30th anniversary this weekend in Salt Lake City, where vert ramps meet Vegas-style betting. After a blistering showcase in Osaka last weekend — when tricks evolved, younger riders broke through and 15-year-old Arisa Trew rewrote vert history — the Games return to U.S. soil. And yes, you can bet on it … though not in Utah. Advertisement Friday's schedule offers an exciting variety of events, including Women's Skateboard Park, BMX Dirt and Men's Skateboard Vert. Here's how you can catch all of the heart-stopping thrills. An all-day digital livestream of Friday's events can be found on the Roku Sports Channel. Vert does not just open the X Games; it defines them. Before the 900, before mega ramps and before street skating's rise, vert was the foundation. The format demands rhythm, control and amplitude across a full run. Think of it like a pitcher's earned run average over a season rather than a single highlight. Jimmy Wilkins won six vert golds from 2018 to 2023, but other contenders like Tom Schaar and 16-year-old Gui Khury are gaining ground. Mitchie Brusco and Osaka's Moto Shibata return with distinct styles, and new riders are ready to shake up the podium, too. Friday's card stretches across surfaces and styles: BMX Street's tight lines, BMX Dirt's flow and Moto X Best Trick, where riders attempt death-defying stunts. Women's Skateboard Park features a strong field with rising contenders, including 16-year-old Cocona Hiraki, who took gold in the event at X Games Japan 2023. The X Games are not just about tricks. They are about pushing what is possible — on the ramp, the board and the sportsbooks, too. Streaming and ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Arisa Trew: Julian Finney / Getty Images)
