9-year-old Perth skateboarder Mia Kretzer becomes youngest ever X Games gold medallist

A young Perth skateboarder has made history in the sport of skateboarding, becoming the youngest X Games gold medallist in history.

Nine-year-old Mia Kretzer won the women’s skateboard vert best trick at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in California last week.

She had already made history just being involved as she was the youngest skateboarder ever to take part in X Games competition.

But to claim victory, Kretzer nailed a perfect double-revolution 720 on her second of five attempts to secure first place and of course the gold medal.

Speaking on Nine’s Today show on Tuesday, Kretzer said: “I was so happy, it was so crazy. I definitely didn’t think I’d be getting a gold medal at nine years of age at X Games.”

What makes it more impressive is the young skateboarder is self-taught, learning all her skills and tricks in Perth on her own.

Before X Games, she gained a wildcard entry to Tony Hawk’s Vert Alert competition (vertical skateboarding), which thrust her into the limelight even further.

That wildcard event helped her gain entry into X Games, and the rest as they say, is history!

“It was surreal. I cried so many tears on the last day…,” a proud Inae Twine, Kretzer’s mum, said. “Just so proud, she’s put in so much hard work. It’s taken a lot to get to where we were. She’s taken the opportunity.”

With no coach, Kretzer’s mum drives her to skate parks after school each night to get in her practice.

Looking ahead the future is bright for the nine-year-old, already setting her sights on the 2028 Olympics: “Having this title for myself now is just so crazy, so happy for it all, so grateful,” Kretzer said.

“I’m actually thinking of going to the 2028 Olympics, for Vert (vertical skateboarding), which I’d probably be invited to.”

Header Image credit: Getty