SKY’S THE LIMIT! OLYMPIC BRONZE AT 13

Skater girl Sky, 13, becomes Team GB’s youngest medallist

SKATEBOARD superstar Sky Brown today broke down in tears after becoming Britain’s youngest Olympic medallist, saying: “I’m blessed — it was super sick.” The 13-year-old sensationally flipped her way into the history books by nailing the last of three runs in the women’s park event to claim bronze.

Sky had fallen in the previous two rounds at the Ariake Urban Arena but she courageously dug deep and a score of 56.47 meant she finished behind Japanese pair Sakura Yosozumi, 19, and Kokona Hiraki, 12.

Hiraki eclipsed Sky to become the youngest Olympic medallist in 85

years. On another morning of medals for Team GB, Hannah Mills became the most successful female Olympic sailor in history by winning gold with Eilidh McIntyre in the women’s 470 class.

Boxer Ben Whittaker, 24, from the West Midlands, won silver in the men’s light-heavyweight final after losing the gold medal bout to Cuban Arlen Lopez.

Meanwhile, Frazer Clarke’s bid to become the third successive Briton to reach the men’s super-heavyweight final ended when he was stopped on cuts above both eyes by Uzbekistani top seed Bakhodir Jalolov. Clarke, 29, who picked up bronze, was attempting to emulate Anthony Joshua at London 2012 and Joe Joyce at Rio 2016.

Team GB’s success saw them fifth in the medals table this morning with 14 golds, 18 silvers and 15 bronzes.

Sky, who already has a sponsorship deal with Nike and has appeared in adverts with Simone Biles and Serena Williams, said after receiving her medal: “This is incredible, it feels unreal. I’m so happy to be here — I’m blessed.

“I was definitely bumped, I fell twice, that made the last run feel even better. All the girls are ripping it, it was insane, it was a super sick final.” Favourite Misugu Okamoto, 15, fell on her final run and missed out on a medal.

Sky could not hold back the tears as she hugged her rivals before being lifted in the air by her father Stu, who is also her coach. She shared her joy with the rest of her family back home on a large screen before taking her place on the podium.

Born a month before Beijing 2008 and aged 13 years and 28 days, Sky broke Margery Hinton’s 93-year-old record to become the youngest athlete to represent Team GB at a summer Games. Her achievement is all the more remarkable as she suffered a fractured skull and broken bones during a fall in training last year. Speaking of her injuries, Sky said today: “I honestly feel that accident made me stronger ... coming back and getting the bronze is really cool. I’m really happy.” Sky’s Japanese mother Mieko and English father met in Miyazaki, Japan. Sky said: “I did speak to my mum and my brother and my mum was crying. I’m so excited to see my brother...I really wish he was here.” Stu first introduced his daughter to the sport while competing as an amateur, balancing his work in marketing. The family — including brother Ocean, nine — split their time between California and Miyazaki.

Sky competed at the US Open in 2016 at the age of eight and first elected to compete for Great Britain in 2018. Last month, she warmed up for the Games by winning gold in the prestigious X Games.

During this morning’s final, Sky and Okamoto struggled with a trick known as the kick flip indy, leaving both facing the prospect of having to go clean on their respective final routines to reach the podium. Sky stepped up when it mattered, her third score nudging her to bronze before another fall by Okamoto confirmed the Briton’s medal.

Sky added: “I’m so stoked. I can’t wait to show the medal to my family and friends. Sakura [the gold medallist] said, ‘You’ve got it Sky, I know you’re going to make it’, and that really made me feel better... I really hope I inspire some girls. I feel like people think I’m too young and I can’t do it but, if you believe in yourself, you can do anything. I believed in myself and I’m here.”