In a powerful display of passion and persistence, American skateboarder Judi Oyama has secured a Guinness World Record for the oldest competitive female skateboarder, proving that age is just a number when it comes to following your dreams.
At 64 years and 326 days old, Oyama was verified with the record on September 12, 2024, at the World Skate Games in Chieti, Italy. The event saw her competing against athletes in their teens and twenties, a testament to her enduring skill and physical prowess.
With her knees bent and strands of silver hair tucked under her helmet, Oyama stood atop a sharply tilted ramp, wheeling her skateboard back and forth. When the starting buzzer sounded, she launched herself down the sloping course, weaving through more than 100 meters of closely packed cones at speeds of 30 to 40 mph.
Oyama’s journey in skateboarding began over 50 years ago in 1973 when her brother brought home a handmade skateboard. As a pioneer in a male-dominated sport, she faced institutionalized stigma and a lack of representation for women and Asian-American athletes. Despite these challenges, she continued to push boundaries, winning the Slalom World Championships in 2003 and being inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame in 2018.
Beyond her personal achievements, Oyama is a mentor to the next generation of skaters, encouraging them to pursue the sport regardless of their age or gender. Her motto is “Be badass every day,” a philosophy she lives by both on and off the board. As she continues to compete and inspire, Oyama shows that you are never too old to challenge yourself and defy expectations.
