After the World Skateboarding Championships in Rome, it was already clear that Laure Brugman and Axel Crossberg had done enough to qualify for the Olympics, but now it’s official.
World Skate has announced 80 skaters who will compete for Olympic medals in parks and on the streets. Crossbergs and Brugman did so in Saint Petersburg.
Remarkably, Cruysberghs is one of only 3 Europeans out of 20 skaters in the field. “My goal for Tokyo is to skate in the final,” says Cruysberghs.
Laure Brugman “I am very happy to be able to go to the games with Axl. I had never thought of participating in the Olympics before, but when the opportunity arose, I totally went for it. In Tokyo I want the best version of myself.”
The fact that Belgium can send two skaters to Tokyo is a huge boost. “Our most important sporting activity is still in its infancy, but this is a confirmation of the work we’ve already done,” says head coach Kevin Bronkers.
“But it’s not only a great sport, it also has a positive effect on skateboarding in Belgium in general: just think of more clubs or more skate parks. It benefits everyone that skateboarding is in the spotlight that way.”
The Cruysberghs and Bruggeman took the eighteenth and sixteenth places. “I think we are already relatively close to the top of the world. We have to stay critical and see how we can close the gap towards the top eight or the podium.”
“Reader. Unapologetic web fanatic. Student. Beer buff. Social media scholar. Alcohol advocate.”
More Stories
Extra Time looks at Union's goalkeeper problem: 'He's the captain, but he still costs them a lot of points'
The major Belgian clubs are in a major conflict with former players
Has Club Brugge suddenly completely changed its 'transfer plan'?