Youngest Athlete at Asian Games: Nine-year-old Skateboarder Mazel Alegado Shreds the Competition

Youngest Athlete at Asian Games: Nine-year-old Skateboarder Mazel Alegado Shreds the Competition

Skateboarding Prodigy

At just nine years old, Mazel Alegado has made a name for herself as the youngest member of the Philippines team at the Asian Games. She may also be the youngest competitor at the entire event. Alegado finished seventh in the women’s park final in Hangzhou, China, proving that age is not a factor when it comes to talent and determination. The young skateboarder, who currently resides in the United States, has her sights set on the Olympic Games in the future.

Finding her passion

Mazel Alegado’s interest in skateboarding was sparked after watching her brother play the sport. “We were at my cousin’s house and I saw my brother skateboarding,” she shared. “I was like, ‘Can I try? Can I try?’ I got on the board and just loved it.” Her brother, however, has since quit skateboarding after seeing his little sister surpass his skills. “No, because he was like, ‘Oh dang, she’s better than me now,’ so he stopped,” Alegado recounted with a touch of humor.

Asian Games Performance

Despite being the youngest athlete, Alegado’s performance at the Asian Games was nothing short of impressive. She scored 44.86 points in her first run and increased her score to 56.96 in her second run. Her best score in the final was 52.85, achieved during her first run. “I was so excited because I was about to skate the Asian Games, and I just did, so it was so fun!” she exclaimed about her experience.

A Young Sport

Skateboarding, a relatively new sport in the international competitive field, has been attracting young athletes worldwide. The gold medal at the Asian Games was won by 15-year-old Japanese skateboarder Hinano Kusaki. China’s 20-year-old Li Yujuan and 15-year-old Mao Jiasi took home the silver and bronze medals, respectively. This trend of young participants is not unique to the Asian Games. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics also witnessed young skateboarders making their mark, with Britain’s Sky Brown winning a bronze medal at the age of 13 and silver medallist Kokona Hiraki being just 12 years old.

Looking Forward

With her impressive performance at the Asian Games, the future looks promising for Mazel Alegado. “I’m really proud that I got here. My dream is to be a pro skater. I would love to go to the Olympics,” she said. As she continues to train and improve, the world eagerly anticipates what this young skateboarder will achieve next.