Olympic gold medalist Yuto Horigome etched his name into the annals of athletic competition world championships by clinching his medal in the inaugural skateboarding competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
However, even an Olympic gold medal isn't enough to shield Horigome from the relentless scrutiny of detractors and skateboarding challenges in public spaces.
Despite his global accomplishments, Horigome still has an issue skating hard in the streets and getting kicked out, even if he says he is an Olympic gold medalist.
Hi is still facing an unexpected and somewhat disheartening reality: skateboarding's underground culture sometimes clashes with the mainstream world, even for an Olympic champion won't save him from street skateboarding.
According to his Thrasher interview, the Olympian shed light on the broader challenges skateboarding faces as it transitions from the streets to the Olympic arena.
While the sport has undoubtedly gained mainstream acceptance, the cultural divide between traditional street skating and Olympic competitions remains palpable.
For many street skateboarders like Horigome, their craft is deeply ingrained in skate sports and the DIY spirit of carving their paths.
The sport's roots in counterculture and individuality can often clash with the formal regulations and image of the Olympic Games.