An Australian skateboarder shared a touching moment with her coach before making history as the youngest Olympic gold medallist from Australia.
While most 14-year-olds are preoccupied with school, social media, or hobbies, Arisa Trew has accomplished an extraordinary feat by becoming Australia’s youngest ever Olympic gold medallist.
At just 14 years and 86 days old, Arisa surpassed the previous record held by Sandra Morgan, who was 14 years and 184 days old when she won gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay back in 1956.
Sandra’s record had remained unbroken for 68 years until Arisa’s stunning victory.
Adding to the moment, Arisa’s gold medal marked Australia’s 14th gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Following her triumph, Arisa’s coach revealed that they had a special and heartwarming conversation during the event.
Arisa was in the bronze medal position before her final run when her coach, Trevor Ward, took her aside.
So, what did he say? A grand motivational speech?
In a way, yes!
Ward shared that he used just two words, part of an inside joke between them, to encourage her to go for it.
He said: “We’ve got some crazy things that we say to each other and I just said the crazy things that we say — skibidi sigma.”
Arisa explained: “It’s like a joke that I have with all my friends because, like, it’s just, like, sigma is, like, the top.
“A lot of kids nowadays say that a lot.”
In her final attempt, Arisa executed a series of incredible tricks, including a 540 – one and a half full turns, securing the gold medal in the women’s skateboarding park final.
Upon learning that she was Australia’s youngest gold medallist, Arisa was in disbelief.
She said: “I got told by a few people that I’m Australia’s youngest gold medallist, which is, like, pretty insane.
“And really cool, because that’s, like, who I’m representing and, like, it’s just amazing.
“It’s just, like, super cool that I have won the gold medal because it has been like a dream. I’m just, like, so excited.”
Her coach expressed his emotions, saying: “I’m crying like a little baby. Man, it’s the most amazing thing.”
This was also Arisa’s debut at the Olympics!
Reflecting on her experience, she said: “It was just crazy and so exciting and I just, like, couldn’t believe it when I, like, knew that I was the winner of the Olympics,” she said.
“This being my first Olympics, it’s just insane.”
She added: “And just to have fun with all my friends and skate my best but, like, all I really wanted to do was land a solid run.”
Radical!