Skateboarder Momiji Nishiya becomes Japan's youngest gold medal winner ever at 13
Momiji Nishiya is just 13 years old, but she's already taking home gold at the Olympics.
Nishiya won gold in women's street skateboarding at the Olympics on Monday, which made her one of the youngest gold medal winners ever, CBS News reports. She also became Japan's youngest gold medal winner, Reuters notes, as well as the first person to win a gold medal in women's street skateboarding, which made its Olympics debut in Tokyo this year. Horigome Yuto of Japan previously won gold in men's street skateboarding.
The youngest gold medalist in history is still diver Marjorie Gestring, who won at the 1936 Berlin Games, The New York Times notes. She was 13 years old, but slightly younger than Nishiya, at the time.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I'm so happy to win the Olympics in Japan, and I'm so happy to win my first Olympics as one of the youngest competitors," Nishiya said, per the Tokyo Organizing Committee.
Nishiya also declared, when asked about her future goals, "I want to be the famous one who everyone in the world knows. I want to win at Paris 2024 too."
Meanwhile, 13-year-old Rayssa Leal won the silver medal, also becoming the youngest Olympic medalist from Brazil, CBS News notes.
"I feel very happy," Leal said. "I made history at 13 years old. I hope I can be at many other Olympic Games."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
5 deliciously funny cartoons about turkeys
Cartoons Artists take on pardons, executions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published