Izuru Nagahara Takes Asian Games 2026 Gold as Max Ku Wins Silver and Gunjo Shiji Bronze

The 15 year old from Nagano Prefecture came back from third place in qualifying to take the title. His standout trick was a huge aerial performed near the crowd, helping him deliver strong runs in the final.

Nagahara had extra motivation going into the event. His older brother Yuro, who competed at the Paris Olympics, won silver at the previous Asian Games. Izuru wanted to beat him by taking gold in Nagoya.

A knee injury one month before the event kept Izuru off his board and forced him into rehabilitation. After his brother told him he needed to change his attitude, he returned to training.

Nagahara started skateboarding when he was just 2 years old. After winning his first Asian Games title, he now hopes to compete at the Olympics alongside his brother.