14-Year-Old Selected for Paris Olympics... Youngest Skateboard Competitor [Japanese Side]

2010-born Onodera Gin'u... Strong Competitor Who Won the Japan Championship
Continues Playing Steadily Despite Injury... "No Pressure Felt" Despite Attention

Recently in Japan, a 14-year-old youngest athlete was selected for the skateboarding event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, attracting much attention. Despite being born in 2010, he has shown incredible skills and is aiming to become the youngest male individual event medalist in the world. Today, we bring you the story of the sensational skateboarder Onodera Gin'u.

The World Skate Japan, a Japanese skateboarding association, announced the list of athletes selected for the Paris Olympics in Tokyo on the 4th. Among them, 14-year-old Onodera proudly made the list.

Onozora Gin'u participating in the Paris Olympics. (Photo by Onozora Gin'u Instagram)

On the day of the Paris Olympic skateboarding competition, Onodera will be 14 years and 163 days old. If he wins the gold medal, he will set the record as the youngest male individual event gold medalist in the world. Japanese media are focusing their attention on whether he can become the youngest gold medalist in the world.

Onodera already secured his spot by ranking first in the preliminary rounds and currently holds two Guinness World Records as the youngest in the world. In 2022, he made his debut at the Japan Championships and won the title, demonstrating his tremendous skills.

Onodera fell in love with skateboarding at the age of five. During a family trip to Venice Beach in Los Angeles, USA, he saw people skateboarding and was instantly captivated. After that, he begged for a skateboard for half a year, and when his parents finally agreed, he entered the world of skateboarding.

He quickly showed talent and started competing in tournaments from the age of seven, and the following year began participating in international competitions. The sight of a young boy skillfully skateboarding became a hot topic, spreading by word of mouth. Not only for his record as the youngest, but also for his relentless challenges to difficult tricks without giving up, he is now considered an athlete competing on the global stage rather than just in Japan. In November 2022, he participated in Tampa Am, regarded as the best competition for amateur skaters, and finished as runner-up. He already has over 150,000 followers on Instagram, gaining popularity. Despite worldwide attention, he said, "I don't feel pressured. I'm just doing what I do," earning even more praise.

Ono dera Ginwoo at the age of 5. (Photo by Ono dera Ginwoo, Instagram)

Despite his young age, he is also facing the hardships that athletes must endure. In June last year, at the Paris Olympic qualifying tournament held in Rome, he suffered a hand fracture during practice before the semifinals. Nevertheless, he bravely participated in the semifinals and achieved 12th place. Onodera said, "My hand was fractured and it hurt, but I came with the mindset that I must win, so I quickly forgot the pain during the competition," becoming an icon of positivity.

Last year, he was highly praised for this attitude and received a commendation from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, which is equivalent to South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

There is great anticipation about what he will show at the Paris Olympics. For now, Onodera said, "I don't have any special feelings. I want to enjoy it and give my all in my own style." We will have to watch closely to see if the youngest male gold medalist will be born.