Before the medals and titles, before the fame and media scrutiny, before the Olympic spotlight, there were the streets.
A labyrinth of brutal surfaces, concrete ledges, and twisted metal frames, dotted with vacant stairs to nowhere. While much of the world sees banality, for skateboarder Nyjah Huston, these streets are an endless world of possibility.
The Essence of Greatness
Sitting under the Hungarian sun, 38 days before Paris 2024, Huston naturally reflects on the concept of greatness as the Games approach. A professional since age 11, Huston has conquered nearly every skate terrain. With 15 X Games gold medals, six world titles, and three ESPY Awards, his career is filled with achievements. Yet, Huston turns not to victories but to the streets for his definition of greatness.
“To me, the definition of greatness is being a true skateboarder. Someone who is in it for the love; someone who is obviously a street skateboarder and takes the time to go out and film these video parts and take the falls and donate the blood to the streets,” Huston says thoughtfully. “That’s really what street skateboarding came from. And I hope that’s what it’s going to be forever – and forever be the most important thing.”
Balancing Streets and Contests
Huston emphasizes the balance between street skating and competitions. While he appreciates what contests bring to his skating, it’s the streets that fuel his passion. Competitions push him to be his best, allowing him to continuously raise his standard. The progression in skateboarding across disciplines and genders has made it an exciting time to be involved.
“I’m thankful for skating contests because it really helps me stay and become a good skateboarder, a better skateboarder, and I want to keep doing it for as long as possible, I really do,” Huston says. “When I see the progression of skateboarding, it makes me think how far is it going to go at such a fast pace, you know? What’s it going to look like in five years, 10 years or like, 50 years? What are people going to be doing? It’s wild.”
Read also:- Argentina Coach Condemns Chaotic ‘Scandal’ at Olympic Soccer Match Against Morocco
Physical Demands and Dedication
Skateboarding’s physical demands are significant. Huston has largely avoided major injuries until two years ago when he had his first surgery due to an ACL rupture. His rigorous recovery and dedication brought him back to competition, where he continued to excel.
“Keeping the body up to shape takes a lot of work. I’m literally in my local physical therapy office at least once or twice a week, and that’s just to keep up on maintenance. You know, even if I don’t have an injury, you’re still in there,” Huston explains.
Preparing for Paris 2024
Redemption and a drive for gold define Huston’s approach to Paris 2024. After finishing seventh at Tokyo 2020, a result that weighed heavily on him, he’s determined to change his approach this time.
“I’m going into Paris 2024 with more of an open mind than I was last time. So, I wouldn’t call it ‘revenge,’ because calling it that would just mean I’m still putting that much more pressure on myself to go out there and do better than I did last time, land every trick or whatever the case is.”
Huston emphasizes the unpredictable nature of skateboarding, acknowledging that every day might not be the best. His experience at the Olympic Qualifier Series in Shanghai, where he had to score more than 81.88 to stay in the contest, highlights this unpredictability. Despite the pressure, he delivered, showcasing his resilience and skill.
Looking Ahead
As Huston prepares for Paris 2024, his focus remains on achieving greatness through his street skating, contest performances, and maintaining his health. He is proud of his consistent contest showings and his dedication to street skating.
Reflecting on his legacy, Huston confidently states, “I think when it comes to my greatness and legacy, I would say it’s just not over. It’s not over yet because I’ve still got a lot of years left in me.”
With his unwavering dedication and passion, Nyjah Huston’s journey through the streets and beyond continues to inspire and define the essence of true skateboarding greatness.
