| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Judi Oyama |
| Born | Santa Cruz, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Skateboarder |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Sport | |
| Country | United States |
| Sport | Skateboarding |
| Events | |
| Turned pro | 1976 |
Judi Oyama is a professional skateboarder. She was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame in 2018.[1][2]
Early Life edit
Judi Oyama was born to parents
Career edit
Oyama began her skating career in the mid-1970s at age 16 and was sponsored by Santa Cruz Skateboards.[1] Oyama garnered additional sponsorships by brands managed under the NHS, Inc. umbrella, including OJ Weels, Park Riders, and Cellblock.[3] She is one of few Asian-American women professional skateboarders.[2]
Her skating helmet from 1979 and 1st place trophy from the 4th Berkeley Contest are held in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.[2]
In 2003, Oyama won the Slalom World Championships at age 43 and was ranked second in the US and first in the masters division overall in 2013. In 2015, she became the first woman to win the N-Men Icon Award.[4]
Reno Gazette-Journal Wed, May 22, 2002 ·Page 19 Reno skateboarding FCR world championship "open women's slalom" #2
Santa Cruz Sentinel Sun, Aug 31, 1980 ·Page 2 "She's often the only woman in the race"
Oyama is the former Vice-President and one of the founders of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit - Board Rescue.[1][5]
https://skateboardinghalloffame.org/shof-2018/judi-oyama-2018/
https://womxnskatehistory.ca/2022/04/25/judi-oyama/
https://www.kqed.org/news/11981066/at-64-santa-cruz-slalom-skateboarding-mom-trains-for-world-games did her first downhill race at 15 in Capitola in the 1970s. Oyama raced at the last World Skate Games in Argentina in 2022.
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/santa-cruz-woman-64-world-skate-games/3355285/ ‘Surprised and excited': Santa Cruz woman, 64, to head to Rome for World Skate Games By Marianne Favro • Published October 28, 2023 started skateboarding in her driveway when she was 13
https://www.ksbw.com/article/california-skateboarder-representing-usa-at-world-skate-games/45700809 Jake Flores Oct 31, 2023 She got started in her driveway and her brother actually built her first skateboard in his woodshop at Aptos Junior High.
https://www.sk8kings.com/judi-oyama.html born and raised in santa cruz competeing in a male dominated sport
References edit
- ^ a b c "Photograph of pro skater Judi Oyama, 1978". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
- ^ a b c "Defying Expectations". National Museum of American History. 2020-09-14. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
- ^ Porter, Natalie (April 25, 2022). "Judi Oyama". Womxn Skateboard History. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "Skateboard helmet worn by Judi Oyama". National Museum of American History. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
- ^ Holl, Gary. "New non-profit, Board Rescue, provides skateboards to children". www.paloaltoonline.com. Retrieved 2021-06-18.