Qi Xiangyu (C) of China greets spectators after the B-boys battle for first place against Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
SHANGHAI, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China's Qi Xiangyu (B-Boy Lithe-ing) delighted the home crowd by clinching the silver medal in breaking B-Boy during the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) closing day.
Meanwhile, American Jagger Eaton emerged as a standout, securing victory in men's street skateboarding and adding a bronze in men's park.
Eighteen-year-old Qi bested B-Boy representatives from Chinese Taipei and South Korea in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds respectively, before narrowly succumbing to B-Boy Lee from the Netherlands in a closely contested final, 2-1. Japan's B-Boy Hiro10 claimed bronze by defeating South Korea's Hongten in the bronze medal match.
The final dance battles, comprising three rounds, ignited the atmosphere with the presence of International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach.
Japan's B-Girls delivered a commanding performance, sweeping the top three positions. B-Girl Ami secured gold by defeating B-Girl Ayumi, while B-Girl Riko took home bronze.
Earlier in the day, Eaton, who began competing in X Games at age 11, captivated spectators by participating in both men's street and park events. In the morning's street competition, the 14-year-old Ginwoo Onodera of Japan initially led, but Eaton's superior trick execution propelled him to gold by a margin of less than one point. Eaton's compatriot Chris Joslin claimed bronze.
With just a two-hour break, Eaton showcased his prowess in the park event, securing bronze behind Tate Carew of the United States, who clinched gold by scoring 93.33 points, and Australia's Keegan Palmer, who took silver with 92.30 points.
Commenting on his remarkable consistency across both events, Eaton expressed excitement for the future, stating, "I just love what I do, and I'm very excited for the future. It's such a weight lifted off my shoulders knowing that I can handle this level of contest five days in a row. I walked in here not knowing if I could."
After the Shanghai stop, Eaton now sits second in both OQS' overall street and park standings. The top two qualified skateboarders from each delegation could potentially compete in the Paris Olympic Games.
In women's skateboarding events, Arisa Trew of Australia took the park title, followed by Japan's Kokona Hiraki and Sakura Yosozumi in second and third respectively.
For the women's street, Brazilian Rayssa Leal won the gold with a total point of 274.89, edging Japan's Liz Akama into second place by merely 0.54 points. Fellow Japanese skateboarder Coco Yoshizawa was third. China's Cui Chenxi and Zeng Wenhui finished fifth and seventh place respectively.
In sport climbing, Lee Do-hyun of South Korea pulled off an upset by clinching first place in the men's boulder & lead event, with defending Olympic champion Alberto Gines of Spain settling for second, and the Czech Republic's Adam Ondra finishing third.
American Brooke Raboutou dominated the women's boulder & lead competition thanks to her impressive performance in the boulder section. She scored 83.8 points, while no other climbers scored higher than 60.
South Korea's Seo Chae-hyun, who led the lead competition, secured the silver, and Erin McNeice of Britain finished third. Luo Zhilu of China was in seventh place.
The OQS action will now move to Budapest, with the second and final stop scheduled from June 20 to 23. ■
Qi Xiangyu of China competes against Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands during the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Qi Xiangyu of China competes against Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands during the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre (L) of the Netherlands competes against Qi Xiangyu of China during the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands reacts while competing against Qi Xiangyu of China during the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Ono Hiroto of Japan competes against Kim Hongyul of South Korea during the B-boys battle for third place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Qi Xiangyu (R) of China hugs Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands after the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands competes against Qi Xiangyu of China during the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Ono Hiroto of Japan competes against Kim Hongyul of South Korea during the B-boys battle for third place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Qi Xiangyu of China greets spectators after the B-boys battle for first place against Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands greets spectators after defeating Qi Xiangyu of China during the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Qi Xiangyu of China competes against Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands during the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
Ono Hiroto (1st L) of Japan and Kim Hongyul (1st R) of South Korea interact with audience during the B-boys battle for third place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands competes against Qi Xiangyu of China during the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Yuasa Ami of Japan competes during the B-Girls Battle for First Place of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
Yuasa Ami of Japan celebrates winning the B-Girls Battle for First Place of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Zeng Yingying of China competes during the B-Girls quarterfinal of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Zeng Yingying (L) of China greets Yuasa Ami of Japan after the B-Girls quarterfinal of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Fukushima Ayumi (R) of Japan competes during the B-Girls Battle for First Place of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
Zeng Yingying (L) of China and Yuasa Ami of Japan compete during the B-Girls quarterfinal of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Yuasa Ami (L) of Japan hugs Fukushima Ayumi of Japan after the B-Girls Battle for First Place of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Zeng Yingying of China competes during the B-Girls quarterfinal of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Tsuhako Riko of Japan competes during the B-Girls Battle for Third Place of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Tsuhako Riko of Japan competes during the B-Girls Battle for Third Place of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Fukushima Ayumi of Japan competes during the B-Girls Battle for First Place of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Logan Elanna Edra of the United States competes during the B-Girls Battle for Third Place of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Fukushima Ayumi (R) of Japan competes during the B-Girls Battle for First Place of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
Yuasa Ami of Japan competes during the B-Girls Battle for First Place of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
Yuasa Ami of Japan competes during the B-Girls Battle for First Place of breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Japan's Fukushima Ayumi, Yuasa Ami and Tsuhako Riko (L to R) pose for photos at the awarding ceremony of B-Girls breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
Qi Xiangyu of China competes against Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands during the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands celebrates during the awarding ceremony of the B-boys finals of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
Ono Hiroto of Japan celebrates during the awarding ceremony of the B-boys finals of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
Qi Xiangyu of China reacts during the awarding ceremony of the B-boys finals of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Qi Xiangyu of China competes against Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands during the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Qi Xiangyu of China competes against Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands during the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands competes against Qi Xiangyu of China during the B-boys battle for first place of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
(L-R) Qi Xiangyu of China, Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre of the Netherlands and Ono Hiroto of Japan pose for photograph during the awarding ceremony of the B-boys finals of breaking event at the Olympic Qualifier Series in east China's Shanghai, May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
