Despite the possibility of reduced medal chances, skateboarding powerhouse Japan has expressed strong support for the newly introduced Olympic age restriction, which bars athletes under 14 from competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The decision, made by World Skate in April, marks a significant change that would have disqualified several of Japan’s former Olympic medalists, including Momiji Nishiya, who won gold in women’s street at just 13 during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and Cocona Hiraki, who claimed park silver at age 12.
Still, Japan’s national street skateboarding coach Daisuke Hayakawa praised the move, citing growing concerns about the physical toll on young athletes attempting increasingly complex tricks.
“I think it’s a good decision,” said Hayakawa. “We can’t overlook the risk of children taking on advanced tricks without foundational skills or full physical maturity.”
Since skateboarding made its Olympic debut in Tokyo, Japan has won a record seven medals, dominating the sport. Yet Hayakawa believes the natural aging of Tokyo’s young stars will balance the impact of the rule, as they move into their prime competitive years by 2028.
He also noted that lighter bodyweight, often seen as an advantage in young skaters, doesn’t always help in aerial tricks, which require strong leg power.
The new age policy aligns skateboarding with other Olympic sports such as gymnastics (16), boxing (18), and diving (14). According to World Skate, the change followed “comprehensive consultations” after the 2024 Paris Olympics and reflects a growing international emphasis on athlete safety and well-being.
Meanwhile, Japan continues to foster youth talent. Domestic competitions in Kanagawa and Mie prefectures recently featured skaters as young as 7 years old, and organizers chose not to impose age limits at the national level.
At one event, a 10-year-old participant expressed a perspective common among younger skaters:
“My dream is to skate in a cool way. The Olympics isn’t really my goal.”
World Skate Japan board member Hitoshi Murakami confirmed that domestic events will remain open to all ages for now, adding:
“There might be changes in how children prepare for the Olympics going forward. We’ll consider how best to support young athletes in this new landscape.”
The International Olympic Committee’s decision to toughen age rules across sports gained momentum after Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, then 15, tested positive for a banned substance during the 2022 Winter Games. The incident sparked global debate about the protection of underage athletes in elite sport.
