Yuto Horigome, the Tokyo Olympics men's street skateboarding champion, suffered a huge blow Thursday in his bid to reach this summer's Paris Games by making an early exit during a qualifier series meet in Shanghai.
Horigome was 17th in the preliminary round in Shanghai with 81.88 points, missing the 16-skater semifinal round by 0.07.
Currently seventh in the world rankings, Horigome ranks fourth highest among Japanese. Only the top three from any country can qualify for Paris.
"I couldn't skate all that well," said the dejected 25-year-old, who landed all his tricks with his first run but still scored lower than his countrymen. "I didn't get the score I was anticipating."
Under pressure, he botched his second and last attempt, posting a 44.03, after an early mistake derailed him before he could showcase his best trick.
Compatriot Kairi Netsuke topped the preliminary round with 90.41, while world champion Sora Shirai was fourth and 14-year-old Ginwoo Onodera eighth among the five Japanese who advanced to the next round.
Horigome has been having success in other events but a third-place finish remains his best from seven Olympic qualifying events so far.
He was seeking to turn the table with a strong performance here, but instead finds himself falling further adrift of his rivals with just one qualifying event remaining in Budapest in June.
I'm in a really tough situation but will do my best," Horigome said.
Related coverage:
Skateboarding: Battle for Olympic spots heating up among Japanese
Japan's world-beating street skateboarders battle for Olympic spots
Skateboarding: Host Japan wins 5 of 6 world championship medals
