Macleans College student makes history with X Games skateboarding medal

Year 10 Macleans College student Decca Ready (Mansfield House) has made national sporting history, winning a bronze medal in the women’s skateboard event at the X Games in Salt Lake City, United States.

With a score of 83.66 on her final run, Decca secured a place on the podium and became the first New Zealander to earn a medal in skateboarding at the X Games. Her performance was all the more remarkable given the short notice - receiving the invitation on a Sunday while still in New Zealand and arriving in the United States by Tuesday to compete.

Decca’s dedication and consistency have been key to her success. She trains daily and has been skateboarding since the age of nine. Her commitment has already taken her across the globe, competing in Australia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, China and Hungary.

At just 15 years old, she is already a national champion, having won the Women’s Street title at the New Zealand Skateboarding Nationals for three consecutive years. Decca is also helping to redefine the sport, which has traditionally been male-dominated. Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, she said ‘I don’t have the physical strength the guys do, so I enjoy doing more technical tricks. People are surprised to see some of the tricks I do.’

Her next major goal is to represent New Zealand at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where skateboarding’s street discipline will again feature.

The X Games, established in 1995 by ESPN, are one of the world’s premier action sports events. They showcase top athletes across skateboarding, BMX, motocross, skiing and snowboarding. Decca’s medal win places her among the world’s best and marks a milestone for New Zealand skateboarding.