Tokyo Olympics 2021: Men’s park skateboarding, Aussie Keegan Palmer takes gold medal

‘I’m so grateful to bring gold back to Australia.’ He may be a dual citizen but there was only one country teen skateboard star Keegan Palmer was going to compete at the Olympics for.

Keegan Palmer was destined for skating success from a young age, with the Olympic champion stepping on a skateboard for the first time aged two — just months after he learnt to walk.

Living on the Gold Coast, Palmer grew up enjoying rugby league and surfing but his natural skateboarding ability made it a no-brainer for him to throw everything into the sport.

By six he’d flourished at his first competition and at nine he knew he could turn it into a career after winning the Australian bowl-riding championships — prompting his family to move from Currumbin to the world’s skating mecca San Diego four years ago.

Keegan Palmer and Kieran Woolley celebrate after the final.

Keegan Palmer realises he’s a gold medallist.

It was a move that paid off for the 18-year-old in Tokyo, combined with the extra year in this Olympic cycle allowing him to bolster and develop his repertoire of awe-inspiring tricks.

Palmer came into the Olympics ranked seventh in the world and was a dark horse in the men’s inaugural park event, having not competed on the global circuit for months due to the pandemic.

“It’s a huge honour and I’m so grateful to bring gold back to Australia,” he said after his historic win.

Keegan Palmer was too good for the opposition.

“I’ve been working my ass off for a long time. It paid off today. I never would’ve expected it, I can’t believe it.

“It’s an absolute honour. I have no f***in’ words, man. It’s f***in’ insane.”

Born in the United States, Palmer is a dual-citizen but his loyalty to the green and gold has never wavered.

Keegan Palmer flies through the air during his heat. Picture: Getty Images

“I take myself as a full Australian, it was where everything started, it was where I learnt how to skate,” he said.

“It’s where all the hard work happened, the blood, sweat and tears. I had to bring it home for Australia.”

Palmer celebrated alongside his two mates Brazil’s Pedro Barros, who won silver, and USA’s Cory Juneau who won bronze.

Keegan Palmer on fire in the men's skate. This is Keegan at 8 carving it up at Manly pic.twitter.com/F1Iovk5Z08

— James Silver (@JamesSilver3) August 5, 2021

“Skateboarding is a huge family,” he said.

“We don’t care how we place, to be next to my two best friends is insane.”

Juneau, 22, said the pair shared a special bond and although they hung out, they don’t train together.

The 18-year-old was overwhelmed by his success.

Palmer was too skilful for the competition. Picture: AFP

“I’m so proud of him, he’s like a little brother to me,” the bronze medallist said.

“We have a bond, growing up together, he has really stepped into his own, this is the best I’ve ever seen him skate so he deserves it.”

Keegan Palmer with his gold medal.

Palmer soaks up his golden moment.