Australia’s youngest gold medal winner Arisa Trew’s heartwarming reaction to her ‘inspiration’ US skateboarding legend Tony Hawk praising her historic Paris win
Arisa Trew has made Olympic history at the age of 14 as Australia’s youngest ever gold medal winner after winning the women’s skateboarding event in Paris.
And after her Olympic victory, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk heaped praise on the teen.
On Wednesday he shared footage of Arisa’s final and winning run on Instagram.
In the caption, he praised the young skateboarding champion for her achievement.
“Congratulations to Arisa Trew on her epic final run in the women’s park final this afternoon to win a well-deserved gold medal,” he wrote.
“Thank you to all participants for propelling skateboarding into a new era of equality and inclusivity.”
Trew was surprised by Hawk’s message after he admitted he inspired her to take up the sport and later helped her become the first woman to perform his iconic 720 and 900 and two and a half revolutions in the air.
“It’s so cool to hear it from Tony because he’s such an inspiration to everyone,” she told Channel Nine’s Eddie Mcguire.
Arisa Trew has made Australian Olympic history as the youngest gold medallist at the age of 14 after winning the women’s skateboarding competition in Paris
And after her Olympic victory, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk (pictured) showered the teen with praise
“Nobody would be here without what he’s done in skateboarding,” she added.
With her victory, Arisa breaks Sandra Morgan’s record as the youngest Australian gold medalist, which stood for 68 years.
Swimming legend Morgan was 14 years and six months old when she won gold at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Arisa is currently 14 years and three months old.
“What a finale. What a moment. Talk about an absolute Hollywood finish. There’s our golden girl,” said the commentary team on Nine.
“Arisa Trew, you’re an absolute champion. Let me tell you what. Gold looks great on you, mate.”
Hawk inspired Trew to take up the sport and later helped her become the first woman to perform his iconic 720 and 900 and two and a half revolutions in the air
The 14-year-old had to fight back after a poor start and fell on her first run, but responded with an incredible final effort that earned her an unbeatable score of 93.18.
“I’m just so excited,” Arisa told Nine. “It’s like so many emotions all at once.
‘I fell on my first run and thought, oh, it’s just annoying when you fall on your first run because you always want to be the first one to be safe.
“But my coach was like, Trev, he just said, you just gotta go all out. And I was like, yeah, I just said, who cares? I just said all or nothing.”
Arisa’s victory takes Australia’s total gold medal tally to 14.
Her compatriot, an Australian skateboarder, Ruby Trew, no relation to Arisa, did not make it to the final.
Arisa Trew is the youngest member of the Australian team in Paris and the seventh youngest competitor ever at the Olympic Games.
Trew was surprised by Hawk’s message after he admitted he inspired her to get into the sport. She said: ‘It’s so cool to hear it from Tony because he’s such an inspiration to everyone’