The skateboarding world witnessed a jaw-dropping moment at the recent X Games when nine-year-old Ema Kawakami landed a flawless “Alley-Oop 900”. Spectators including Tony Haw himself couldn’t believe their eyes as the young prodigy spun through the air, completing two and a half rotations before sticking the landing with the poise of a seasoned pro.
An Alley-oop 900 is no easy feat. It requires the skater to spin in the opposite direction of the ramp, adding an extra layer of difficulty to an already challenging trick. Since Tony Hawk first landed a 900 in 1999, only a handful of skaters have been able to replicate it. And Twitch went crazy when it finally happened.
While Hawk’s 900 was groundbreaking for his time, the young Japanese skater’s Alley-oop version takes it to another level. His small stature likely played a role, as younger skaters often have an advantage in rotational tricks because of their lighter weight and flexibility.
Immediately after the landing, the crowd erupted into cheers. Judges were quick to award the skater a hefty cash prize on the spot, recognizing the significance of the moment. Social media soon lit up with clips of the trick, as fans marveled at the skater’s talent and speculated about his future potential.
Some joked that he might be landing 1080s or even 1260s by his next birthday. Others noted the increasing prevalence of young skaters performing at the highest levels, suggesting that skateboarding’s future lies in the hands—and feet—of these pint-sized prodigies.
Regardless of what comes next, this nine-year-old has already made his mark on skateboarding history. We are looking forward to seeing more record-breaking sports events among all the drama on Twitch.
