Current:Home > reviewsPoinbank:Meet 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao, the youngest Olympian competing in Paris -AssetLink
Poinbank:Meet 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao, the youngest Olympian competing in Paris
NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-07 08:38:14
What were you doing during the summer when you were 11 years old?Poinbank
Chances are you were not competing on the world's biggest stage at the Olympics trying to win a medal, but that's exactly what 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao is doing. And to think, she only took up the sport five years ago, soaring through the rankings to earn her spot at the Olympics.
Zheng is representing China during the 2024 Paris Games and was the youngest athlete competing, in becoming her country's youngest Olympian. She doesn't turn 12 until Sunday and is currently 26th in the World Skateboarding Ranking.
Here is more to know about Zheng:
➤ Get Olympics updates in your texts! Join USA TODAY Sports' WhatsApp Channel
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
Is Zheng Haohao the youngest Olympic athlete ever?
Zheng was born on August 11, 2012, in Huizhou, China, but she isn't the youngest to ever compete on the Olympic stage. That honor goes to Dimitrios Loundras, who was only 10 years old when he competed at the 1896 Athens Games and won a bronze medal in the team parallel bars. Luigina Giavotti was only 11 when she helped the Italian gymnastics team win a silver medal at the 1928 games in Amsterdam.
What event did Zheng Haohao compete in?
Zheng competed in the skateboard park, where skaters perform on a concrete bowl featuring bumps and ramps and are judged on the creativity and difficulty of their jumps.
Zheng Haohao at Paris Olympics
In the preliminary contest in the women's park competition, Zheng scored 63.19 points and was eliminated in the first round, finishing in 18th place after she fell in two of her runs. Arisa Trew, a 14-year-old from Australia, took home the gold, Japan's Hiraki Cocona won the silver, and Sky Brown of Great Britain won the bronze.
"I'm very proud of myself. I feel tired and happy," Haohao said after the competition. "Honestly, I wasn’t too nervous. My family was here cheering me on. I’m very happy. It was an experience to be here. I’d like to come back in Los Angeles 2028."
veryGood! (12)
Related
- Sonya Massey's family keeps eyes on 'full justice' one month after shooting
- Search underway for Michael Mosley, TV presenter and doctor who is missing after going for walk in Greece
- Glen Powell on navigating love and the next phase: I welcome it with open arms
- Pat Sajak takes a final spin on Wheel of Fortune, ending a legendary career: An incredible privilege
- Illinois governor calls for resignation of sheriff whose deputy fatally shot Black woman in her home
- Mavericks’ plan to stop Celtics in NBA Finals: Get them to fight among themselves
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says she is saddened and shaken after assault, thanks supporters
- Coroner: Human remains found in former home of man convicted in slaying of wife
- Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack
- Leaving Caitlin Clark off Olympic team, USA Basketball airballs on huge opportunity
Ranking
- Breaking debut in Olympics raises question: Are breakers artists or athletes?
- Dornoch wins 156th Belmont Stakes, run for first time at Saratoga
- Vermont police department apologizes after visiting students witness simulated robbery, shooting
- Caitlin Clark expected to be off star-packed USA Basketball national team Olympic roster, reports say
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Horoscopes Today, June 7, 2024
- Tesla's newest product: Tesla Mezcal, a $450 spirit that has a delicate smoky musk
- Nike drops 'Girl Dad' sneakers inspired by the late Kobe Bryant. See what they look like
Recommendation
Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
Iga Swiatek wins third consecutive French Open women's title after defeating Jasmine Paolini
Blinken to visit Middle East in effort to rally support for cease-fire
Ryan Garcia speaks out after being hospitalized following arrest at Beverly HIlls hotel
Bodycam footage shows high
A man shot by police in New Caledonia has died. The French Pacific territory remains restive
Derrick White has game-changing blocked shot in Celtics' Game 2 win vs. Mavericks
Shooting leaves 3 dead and 2 injured in South Dakota