BANGKOK (UPDATED) — Eleven-year-old skater Mazel Paris Alegado proved age is just a number as she struck gold in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Alegado ruled the women’s park finals in extreme skateboard on Saturday at the Sports Authority of Thailand here.
The California-based skater earned a score of 79.72 to win the gold, beating nine other competitors in the event.
The achievement makes Alegado the country's youngest gold medalist in the 2025 SEA Games and the country's youngest gold medalist in history.
"It feels crazy 'cause it's my first SEA Games and I'm so proud to represent the Philippines. It's so hyped, everyone was hyping me up. It was so funny, we were dancing and having fun," she said in an interview.
For Alegado, all she wanted to do her best while enjoying the moment. So getting the gold was a huge bonus for her.
"All I wanted is to try my best, land all my lines. I don't care if I get first, second or third. I just want to land all my lines on my skate you know," she shared.
The young SEA Games champ hopes her victory will encourage more young Filipinos to get into skateboarding.
"I love inspiring people, especially little kids and little girls. I hope a lot of people saw that and I hope they start skating like how I got inspired by my brother," she said.
Alegado’s compatriot, fellow 11-year-old Elizabeth Amador took home silver after she scored 72.03.
"I'm very happy. I wanted to get first but I'm still happy I got second. That's the first time I got second in a big comp.... What I did, it was for the Philippines, for the little kids out there," she said in an interview with POC Media.
Thailand’s Freya Santa clinched bronze with a score of 64.13.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino lauded the young Filipina skaters and men's park gold medalist Jericho Francisco for bringing glory to the country.
"Dito sa skateboard, one-two finish then sa men one. Pinakita natin yung husay natin sa skateboard," he said.