News in pictures / Japanese skateboarders, dancers and climbers earn Olympic spots; Ginwoo Onodera, Coco Yoshizawa among Paris qualifiers

One after another, Japanese athletes have secured tickets for the Paris Olympics on the final day of the second leg of the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS), held in Budapest on Sunday. It was the last chance for athletes competing in events such as skateboarding, sport climbing and Breaking to reach Paris.

The Japanese squad reached the podium in the men’s street skateboarding final, with Tokyo Olympic winner Yuto Horigome claiming top spot and securing his second consecutive Olympic appearance. Fourteen-year-old Ginwoo Onodera finished second and Sora Shirai third, earning their place on the Olympic team.

Onodera, who will make his Olympic debut, said: “I am very excited. I definitely want to win in Paris, with my own style.”

Japanese skateboarders also made the podium in the women’s street skateboarding final, with 14-year-old Coco Yoshizawa taking first place and making her first appearance at the Olympics. Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Funa Nakayama finished third and secured a ticket to her second consecutive Olympic Games. Fifteen-year-old Liz Akama, who had already made her Olympic debut by reaching the final, finished fourth. World champion Yumeka Oda missed out on an Olympic ticket, despite finishing second in Budapest on cumulative points.

In the Breaking finals, Ami Yuasa finished first and Ayumi Fukushima second, both qualifying for a spot in the newest Olympic sport. In the men’s race, Hiroto Ono won his Olympic ticket with sixth place.

Miho Nonaka finished second in the women’s sport climbing combined final, securing her second consecutive Olympic Games.