News in Pictures / Japanese Skateboarders, Dancers and Climber Earn Olympic Spots; Ginwoo Onodera, Coco Yoshizawa Among Paris Qualifiers

The Eiffel Tower in Paris is decorated with the Olympic rings on Wednesday.
16:12 JST, June 25, 2024
Japanese athletes secured tickets to compete at the Paris Olympics one after the other on the final day of the second stage of the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) held in Budapest on Sunday. It was the final chance for athletes competing in events such as skateboarding, sport climbing and Breaking to reach Paris.
The Japanese squad swept the podium in the men’s street skateboarding final, with Tokyo Olympic winner Yuto Horigome claiming the top spot and securing his second successive Olympic appearance. Fourteen-year-old Ginwoo Onodera finished second and Sora Shirai finished third to earn their places on the Olympic squad.


Top: Skateboarder Yuto Horigome jumps during the street final at the Olympic Qualifier Series in Budapest on Sunday. Bottom: From left: Skateboarders Ginwoo Onodera, Yuto Horigome and Sora Shirai pose for a photo after qualifying for the Olympics in Budapest on Sunday.
Onodera, who will be making his Olympic debut said: “I’m very excited. I absolutely want to win in Paris with my own style.”
Japanese skateboarders also swept the podium in the women’s street skateboarding final, with 14-year-old Coco Yoshizawa earning first place and her first Olympic Games appearance. Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Funa Nakayama finished third, securing a ticket to her second consecutive Olympic Games. Fifteen-year-old Liz Akama, who had already ensured her Olympic debut when she reached the finals, finished fourth. The World Championship winner Yumeka Oda missed out on an Olympic ticket, despite taking second place in Budapest, based on cumulative points.


Top: From left: Skateboarders Funa Nakayama, Coco Yoshizawa and Liz Akama pose for a photo after qualifying for the Paris Olympics at Budapest on Sunday. Bottom: From left: Skateboarders Cocona Hiraki, Sakura Yosozumi and Hinano Kusaki gesture after qualifying for the Olympics women’s park event in Budapest on Sunday.
In the Breaking final, Ami Yuasa finished first and Ayumi Fukushima took second, both qualifying for a spot in the newest Olympic sport. For the men’s event, Hiroto Ono won his Olympic ticket with sixth place.


Top: Ami Yuasa dances at the women’s Breaking event in Budapest on Sunday. Bottom: Ami Yuasa, right, and Ayumi Fukushima pose for photos after qualifying for the Paris Olympics in Budapest on Sunday.
Miho Nonaka finished second in the women’s sport climbing combined final, securing her second consecutive Olympics appearance.

Miho Nonaka competes in the women’s sport climbing finals in Budapest on Sunday.
"Sports" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Only Remaining Yokozuna Terunofuji to Retire: Rose to Top from 2nd Lowest Division (UPDATE1)
-
Ichiro Thanks Wife, Mentor after Hall of Fame Vote; Calls Cooperstown Entry His ‘Greatest Recognition as Player’
-
Mongolian Hoshoryu Still Coming to Grips with Remarkable Victory that Propelled Him to Sumo’s Highest Rank
-
Japan Sumo Association Officially Promotes Hoshoryu to Yokozuna; Becomes 6th from Mongolia, 74th Overall to Hold Top Rank
-
Sumo: Hoshoryu Captures New Year Title in 3-Way Playoff
JN ACCESS RANKING