By Lucy Caulkett-
Britain is celebrating its youngest ever olympian, after a teenager won bronze at the olympic games.
Skateboarding sensation Sky Brown has become Britain’s youngest Olympic medalist in history – less than a month after her 13th birthday – as she grabbed Tokyo 2020 bronze at the death after a perfect run following two big falls in the final.
The teenager was outstanding to finish third just over a year after fracturing her skull in a training crash that could have killed her, breaking down in tears of joy at the end of the final where she was beaten by two Japanese stars, including 12-year-old rival Kokona Hiraki.
Speaking afterwards Sky said: ‘It was a super sick final. All the girls were ripping it, it was insane. I’m so stoked. I can’t believe it, it’s unbelievable. The medal feels unreal, it’s like a dream. I can’t wait to show the medal to my family and friends’.
Sky was born in Japan but lives in San Diego with her British father Stewart, a skateboarder and marketing executive originally from Cornwall, and Japanese mother Miko, a housewife.
Not only is she the youngest female professional skateboarder in the world, she is the youngest Nike-sponsored athlete on the planet appearing in ads with Serena Williams and Simone Biles.
The teenager’s amazing bronze medal came just 14 months after a horror training crash in California where she flew off her skateboard at the top of a high ramp and landed head-first on hard ground, fracturing her skull and breaking her hand and wrist.
She was at the time airlifted to hospital unconscious, but made a miracle recovery. Her dad said at the time: ‘Sky’s had the gnarliest fall she’s ever had and is lucky to be alive. When she first came to hospital, everyone was fearful for her life’.
The teenager, worth $5million already, has a series of endorsements with other big brands, including Tommy Hilfiger, Vans, Hurley, and Billabong. But after today’s success her fame and fortune is expected to soar further.
Sky, who has already gathered 1million followers on Instagram and the YouTube channel she shares with her brother Ocean, nine, who is also a professional skateboarder, has had 20million views. She even won US TV talent show ‘Dancing With The Stars: Juniors’ in 2018 and such is her love for surfing, she may choose to take part in that event at Paris 2024, when she will be 16.
She has entered the history books at 13 years and 28 days old, becoming the youngest Briton ever to compete for the nation at an Olympics and then grabbing bronze having left it all on her third and final run, after falling in her first two routines.
A prospective icon for teenagers across the country and all over the world, Sky’s phenomenal accomplishments make her one for the record books. And the sky remains the limit for Sky’s future achievements.
Sky was overwhelmed with relief when nailing her routine third time around, to leap above Japan’s Misugu Okamoto into bronze medal position. Virtually the entire field of competitors surrounded Brown and embraced her as she dissolved into tears. When she emerged from the huddle, it was clear that she was delighted.
She has eclipsed the summer British record of Margery Hinton, who was 13 years and 43 days when she competed in swimming at the 1928 Games. British figure skater Cecilia Colledge was 15 when she won figure skating silver in 1936.
With a future so bright with limitless possibilities, the youngster is poised to be an inspiration for young people the world over, and is likely to be invited to give talks to young people for years to come.
Teenagers in particular, will be able to benefit from Sky’s testimony of how she attained so much discipline and excellence at such a young age.
Teenagers who identify and hone their talent at a very young age, generally have a promising future before them. They have years to mature into the adult they want to me.
Sky is already a special child, a stand out gem, destined for future greatness. Her dreams at night must be the sweetest imaginable for any young teenager with her accomplishments.
The best is still yet to come, with a gold medal begging for her attention if she can top her grand achievements with the icing on the cake.
Whatever she comes up with in these games, it can only be a win-win for her, as she pursues a legacy all youngsters should want to emulate.