Streets ahead

True to its edgy roots, skateboarding's youthful verve is a breath of fresh air

Deeply rooted in the vibrant tapestry of street culture, skateboarding is a refreshing departure from the conventional sports that dominate the stage at the Asian Games.

The exhilarating street finals at Hangzhou's Qiantang Roller Sports Centre on Sept 27 underlined just how unique this sport is within the realm of the continental sports gala.

Beneath the blazing sun, athletes donning loose, short-sleeved shirts and pants crafted and executed their own brand of tricks and maneuvers on the quarter pipes, handrails and assortment of other obstacles.

Whether triumphant or grappling with gravity's relentless pull, the athletes could always rely on the spectators' unwavering support, with each routine greeted with a symphony of cheers and applause.

It seemed that in the presence of these fearless, unyielding young athletes, who fear neither falls nor failures, everyone momentarily set aside allegiances to their national teams.

Instead, they united behind the competitors in a show of solidarity that reflected the sport's long-standing mantra: "One more try."

Both the skateboard street and park competitions in Hangzhou have introduced a wave of fresh, youthful faces to the world. Nine-year-old Filipino Mazel Paris Alegado, who competed in the women's park, is the youngest participant at the Games.

At her tender age, Mazel's motivation for embracing skateboarding is refreshingly uncomplicated and persuasive — she does it simply to have fun.

"I wasn't really nervous, I was really excited about it," she said about preparing for such a big tournament.

Mazel resides in the United States but trained in Portugal in preparation for the Games in Hangzhou. Her skateboarding journey began when she was a mere 5-year-old.

"I like skateboarding because it's really fun," she said. "You can hang out with your friends, and you can be any person you want."

She's already dreaming about one day competing in the Olympic Games, but acknowledged that she has a considerable amount of practice ahead of her to reach that level.

All the athletes selected for the Chinese skateboarding team were born after the year 2000.The youngest is 13-year-old female street skateboarder Cui Chenxi, who is also the youngest athlete in the entire Chinese delegation at this year's Asian Games.

The skateboarding prodigy showcased her extraordinary talent by claiming the women's street title on Sept 27, becoming China's youngest-ever Asian Games gold medalist.

Until Wednesday, that title had belonged to 15-year-old skateboarder Chen Ye, who won the men's park event on Monday.

Cui is dreaming big for next year's Paris Olympics.

"First I will concentrate on getting there, then I can make a big attack," she said.

Injuries are pretty much unavoidable in skateboarding, but the pitfalls of the sport have yet to deter Cui.

"When I started skateboarding, I thought it was great fun. Later, I realized people sustain a lot of injuries while doing it. But that is where the spirit of skateboarding lies," she said.

Allied to her courage, Cui displays calmness and composure beyond her years.

"My dad advised me to stay relaxed, savor the competition, and demonstrate my skills," she said of her coolness under pressure. "As long as I give it my all, I won't have any regrets."

China's Zeng Wenhui finished runner-up behind Cui in the street final. At 18, Zeng is already considered a seasoned rider, having represented China at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Her experience in major competitions has equipped her with the ability to remain composed — a skill she hopes to pass on to her younger teammates.

"When you're in the midst of competition, mental factors can affect you," Zeng explained, "but then you simply release those distractions and focus on delivering your absolute best."

Margielyn Didal is a well-known skateboarder in the Philippines thanks to her victory in the women's street competition at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. On Wednesday, she was surpassed by the sport's new breed and finished eighth. Afterward, the 24-year-old was magnanimous about missing out on a medal, but admitted she felt something of a generation gap due to the mandatory protective gear for competitors aged under 18.

"Skateboarding transcends age. I don't feel old because I still have a playful spirit. I just want to have fun," she said. "But it's a bit strange for me because everyone is wearing helmets and knee pads now, and I feel a bit left out in that regard."