66-year-old American skateboarder Judy Oyama has been officially recognized as the world's oldest active professional athlete, reports infohub.kz.
Oyama has been included in the 2027 edition of the Guinness World Records. She first set the record in 2024 at the age of 64 years and 326 days, and has continued to break it since, competing in international events.
Oyama's passion for skateboarding began at age 13 in her hometown of Santa Cruz, California, when her brother brought home a board made in shop class. In the 1970s, when women's categories in the sport were virtually nonexistent, she competed in men's tournaments. In 1978, she joined the Santa Cruz Skate team, becoming one of the first women in skateboarding to secure official sponsorship deals.
Today, Oyama specializes in slalom and general racing disciplines, which require high speed and agility. In October, she plans to compete at the World Skate Games in Paraguay, just before her 67th birthday. Beyond competing, she mentors and participates in charitable projects, donating skateboards to at-risk children.