Reese Nelson, a 10-year-old skateboarder from Calgary, Canada, created a buzz at the X Games by becoming the youngest person ever to win a medal in the event’s history. Nelson’s impressive performance in the Pacifico Women’s Skateboard Vert event captivated the crowd in Ventura, California.
Under the guidance of skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, Nelson achieved a score of 88.00, briefly holding the top spot. However, she was narrowly surpassed by 13-year-old Australian Arisa Trew, who secured the gold medal with a score of 90.33.
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In an Instagram post, Nelson expressed her joy and gratitude, stating, “Winning the medal felt really good. I was just focused on landing my lines.” She also acknowledged the support of her skate friends, mentors, and sponsors.
“Stoked to be the youngest X Games medalist.”
Despite the pressure of performing in front of a large audience, Nelson remained composed and credited the crowd for boosting her confidence and helping her execute her tricks.
Nelson’s talent and dedication have been recognized by Tony Hawk, who has described her as a prodigy of the sport. Hawk has been training with Nelson at his California facility, impressed by her ability to perform difficult and dangerous tricks on a vert ramp.
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Nelson’s silver medal win marks a significant milestone for Canadian skateboarding and has garnered attention and admiration from the global skateboarding community.
The X Games event marked the return of women’s vert competition after a nine-year hiatus. Nelson’s achievement adds further significance to the event, as she showcased her exceptional skills and potential at such a young age.
As Nelson continues to push the boundaries of skateboarding, her future in the sport looks promising. With the support of her mentor Tony Hawk and the encouragement of her skateboarding peers, Nelson’s remarkable journey is set to inspire a new generation of athletes.
