Nine-year-old Mazel Paris Alegado, believed to be the youngest athlete at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, defied her age to compete in skateboarding.
Representing the Philippines, she not only participated but also qualified for the "women's" park final, where she secured the seventh position out of eight competitors.
In a competition won by Japan's Hinano Kusaki, who, at 15, was considered a comparative veteran, Alegado's remarkable journey stood out. Alegado, who celebrated her ninth birthday in March, hails from California and discovered her passion for skateboarding while watching her brother practice at a cousin's house.
"I was like, 'Can I try? Can I try?'" she recounted. "And I got on the board and just loved it."
Reflecting on her emotions about participating in a major international event like the Asian Games, Alegado shared her excitement: "I was so excited because I was about to skate the Asian Games, and I just did, so it was so fun!"
When asked if her brother still skated, she responded with a touch of humour, "No, because he was like, 'Oh dang, she's better than me now,' so he stopped."
In the final standings, Alegado managed to avoid a last-place finish, leaving the wooden spoon to Taiwanese 11-year-old Lin Yi-fan.
