On July 4 and 5, 11-year-old 6th-grade skateboarder Ema Kawakami (Sakai Cycle) won the gold medal in Men’s Skateboard Vert at “X Games Chiba 2026,” the world’s premier action sports international competition held at Makuhari Messe.
At 11 years old, his victory marks a historic achievement as the youngest male gold medalist in X Games history across both Summer and Winter editions. He snapped the winning streak of Brazil’s undisputed champion Gui Khury, who was on a four-game winning streak, to emerge as the new champion.
In 2024, at just 9 years and 9 months old, Kawakami competed in “X Games Ventura 2024” in the United States, setting a new record as the youngest male competitor in the event’s history. The following year, at “X Games Salt Lake City 2025,” he captured the bronze medal in Men’s Skateboard Vert at the age of 10 years and 293 days, earning an official Guinness World Records™ title as the “Youngest X Games medallist (male).” To date, he has achieved numerous remarkable feats in the global skateboarding scene, including setting four Guinness World Records™.
Furthermore, this year on June 27 (local time), he earned another bronze medal in the “MOONPAY MEN’S SKATEBOARD VERT BEST TRICK” at “X Games Sacramento 2026,” held in Sacramento, California. Kawakami continues to build an impressive track record while competing against the world’s top riders.
At this tournament, each time he successfully landed high-difficulty tricks such as the “Body Varial 900” and the “720 to Fakie 720,” the venue erupted into massive cheers.
After capturing the gold medal, a delighted Kawakami commented, “I’ve been practicing to take first place at the X Games, so I was so happy that I could win first place this time!” Regarding his future goals, he spoke with strong determination: “I want to put together a run that is even more difficult than the one I performed today, and win first place again.”
Standing at the top of the world, 6th-grader Ema Kawakami has carved a new chapter into history. All eyes will surely remain on his incredible momentum moving forward.
X Games Chiba 2026 Men’s Skateboard Vert Results
1st Place: Ema Kawakami (Japan) — [93.66 pt]
2nd Place: Gui Khury (Brazil) | XC SP — [92.66 pt]
3rd Place: Moto Shibata (Japan) | XC SP — [91.33 pt]
Ema Kawakami’s 4 Guinness World Records™
Most backside 540 skateboard tricks in one minute May 22, 2024: 13 times
Most consecutive skateboard ‘900’ in competition (male) June 15, 2024: 3 times
Youngest X Games athlete (male) June 28, 2024: 9 years and 294 days old
Youngest X Games medallist (male) June 28, 2025 (Local Time): 10 years and 293 days old