17 Australian Skateboarders are in Rome, Italy this week to compete at the Park 2023 World Championships from 1 to 8 October.
The park skateboarders will be vying for their chance to improve their international rankings in order to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The team is headlined by Tokyo 2020 Gold Medallist Keegan Palmer. He will be joined by X Games Gold Medallist Arisa Trew and Ruby Trew who is currently placed 4th in World Rankings. In a Park first, four skaters have been selected through a performance pathway initiative that will see the young athletes compete on the world stage for the first time; Jake Thatcher, Jada Ward, Coco Crafter and Taj Wolfenden.
Park skaters Kieran Woolley and Marley Rae were also named to the team, but have not travelled to Italy to compete this time.
Skate Australia Performance Pathways Manager Luke MacDonald said the pathways initiative has created a unique opportunity to introduce new athletes to the competitive arena.
“We are thrilled to unveil our team of talented skaters who will take it to the rest of the world at the Park World Championships in Rome,” he said.
“Many of our athletes are striving to accumulate crucial points that will significantly contribute towards qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“We are also equally excited to provide four of Australia’s next generation of talented skaters, Taj, Coco, Jada, and Jake, with their inaugural World Championships experience, fostering their development and potential.”
Skate Australia High Performance Manager Debbie Savage said the Australian team are ready for the important competition and to perform well at the highest level.
“The Australian Park Skateboarding team have been gearing up for the 2023 World Championships in Rome, Italy to bring it to the bowl in their own style and flair,” said Savage.
“The Australians are ramping up focus and sticking to their individual game plan in this third Olympic Qualifying event out of four for Park towards Phase 2 qualifications to Paris Olympics.
“Skate Australia and the skateboarding community will be cheering our athletes on from back home in this very exciting lineup at the World Championships.”
2023 Rome Park World Championships begins with three days of official practice sessions on October 1 before the competition kicks off on Wednesday 4 October.
Australian Team for 2023 Rome Park World Championships
Keegan Palmer
Charlotte Heath
Poppy Olsen
Dylan Donnini
Ash Wilcomes
Keefer Wilson
Taniah Meyers
Jake Thatcher
Ruby Trew
Ethan Copeland
Aaliyah Wilson
Jada Ward
Arisa Trew
Phoenix Sinnerton
Coco Crafter
Zahra Johns
Taj Wolfenden
