The stage is set for an electrifying showdown as the WST World Cup Kitakyushu Street 2025 narrows down to an elite eight in the women's final, and Akama Liz is leading the charge. This 16-year-old skateboarding sensation from Japan didn't just qualify—she dominated, securing the top spot with a jaw-dropping performance that left spectators in awe. But here's where it gets even more thrilling: Akama is joined by three other Japanese athletes, making this a home-turf triumph like no other. Is this the year Japan sweeps the podium?
On Saturday, November 29th, Akama delivered a semi-final run that was nothing short of spectacular. Her best score of 66.76, combined with a trick score of 80.48, catapulted her to a total of 147.24, leaving her competitors in the dust. But who's hot on her heels? The crowd's darling, 13-year-old Matsumoto Ibuki, secured second place with a score of 145.85, proving that age is just a number when it comes to talent. Close behind was Oda Yumeka, rounding out the top three with 143.00 points.
The final spot in the top eight went to Onishi Nanami, who edged out Tokyo 2020 champion Nishiya Momiji by a razor-thin margin of less than a point. Was this the most nail-biting moment of the competition? Absolutely. Nanami's score of 125.69 versus Momiji's 125.01 kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the very last second.
Akama's journey to the final wasn't without its hurdles. Just a day earlier, in the quarter-finals, she found herself in eighth place with a score of 48.67—a performance she described as 'sub-par.' Did she doubt herself? 'I thought I was cutting it too close,' she admitted. But Saturday was a different story. 'Today, I managed to nail both runs and made at least one trick, so I’m pretty happy with how things turned out,' she shared, her confidence clearly restored.
Her secret? A solid practice session and a board that felt just right. 'I felt good from practice, the board felt good, which slowly but surely gave me confidence,' she explained. But is she resting on her laurels? Not a chance. 'I can’t let up just yet,' she declared, already eyeing the ultimate prize.
Joining Akama in Sunday's final are international powerhouses like China's Cui Chenxi and Zhu Yuanling, South Korea's Shin Jiyul, and Australia's Chloe Covell, who claimed the World Cup title in Rome just last June. Who will rise to the top? The competition is fierce, and every athlete has their eyes on the gold.
And this is the part most people miss: Paris 2024 champion Yoshizawa Coco crashed out in the quarter-finals, proving that even the best can stumble under pressure. Is this a sign of shifting tides in the skateboarding world? Only time will tell.
As we gear up for the final, one question lingers: Can Akama Liz turn her semi-final dominance into a gold medal victory? Or will one of her equally talented competitors steal the spotlight? Let us know your predictions in the comments below—this is one conversation you won't want to miss!
