Liz Akama Triumphs in Women's Street Skateboarding at SLS Las Vegas Takeover 2025

Liz Akama's Exceptional Victory at the 2025 SLS Las Vegas Takeover

The skateboarding world witnessed a monumental event on October 25, 2025, as Monster Energy's Liz Akama dazzled onlookers and competitors alike at the 2025 SLS Las Vegas Takeover competition in downtown Las Vegas. Aged just 16, Akama, hailing from Miyagi, Japan, claimed the top spot in the Women's Street Skateboarding division, marking a significant career milestone following her earlier injuries.

In this fiercely competitive event, Akama faced off against 17-year-old Rayssa Leal from Brazil, who took home the second prize. The atmosphere bubbled with excitement, amplified by the backdrop of the Las Vegas Strip and the high-energy crowd attending the street culture convention, ComplexCon, taking place simultaneously. The customized street course, meticulously designed by California Skateparks, featured real street architecture elements, providing the ideal arena for these elite skateboarders to showcase their prowess.

A Thrilling Competition
The competition format was packed with intensity, as each finalist had seven attempts to execute their best trick, with the highest three scores counted towards their final total. Akama ignited her performance with an impressive frontside 180 nosegrind, securing a solid start with 7.6 points. Following that, she maintained her upward momentum with a frontside 180 switch 50-50 grind, scoring 7.0 points.

However, Akama faced a brief setback, as her next four attempts did not yield successful tricks. Yet, as the pressure mounted in her final run, Akama delivered an electrifying performance, landing a spectacular Barley grind—frontside 180 switch Smith grind on the Hubba—that earned her 7.4 points, summing up to a winning total of 22.0 points. Her comeback is a testament to her resilience, especially after missing several previous competitions due to an injury she sustained during the SLS Miami event back in May.

“It feels amazing to come back and not just participate, but win! I was unsure if I could compete today due to my recent injury, but this victory means the world to me,” expressed Akama emotionally after her remarkable success.

Rayssa Leal's Remarkable Performance
Following Akama's lead, the talented Rayssa Leal made strong attempts to seize the lead throughout the event. Leal started impressively with a perfectly executed backside Smith grind for 6.9 points. She quickly elevated the level with a frontside bluntslide, scoring 7.8 points, thus claiming the distinction of Monster Energy's Highest Scoring Trick of the Day.

Leal continued to build her score with another successful attempt, a backside tailslide worth 7.1 points, bringing her total to 21.8 points. Despite her valiant efforts to execute a kickflip grind on her last attempt, Leal ultimately fell short of surpassing Akama, finishing strongly in second place.

A Look Towards the Future
As the dust settles from this exhilarating competition, both Akama and Leal have secured their spots for the 2025 SLS Super Crown World Championship, which is set to occur in São Paulo, Brazil from December 6 to 7. This ongoing season of Street League Skateboarding, founded by pro skater Rob Dyrdek in 2010, has captivated audiences with its blend of elite competition and festival vibes, turning public spaces into thrilling avenues for skateboarding.

In the Men's division, the competition also showcased remarkable talent. Nyjah Huston, aged 30, from Laguna Beach, California, secured second place. His performance highlighted the diversity of skills present in the contest, including a stunning switch heelflip frontside tailslide that impressed both judges and spectators alike.

Conclusion
With the successful conclusion of the 2025 SLS Las Vegas Takeover, we anticipate an exceptional Super Crown as the competition gears up for the showdown in São Paulo. The excitement surrounding skateboarding continues to grow, with icons like Liz Akama and Rayssa Leal leading the charge into the future. For skaters and fans alike, it’s a thrilling moment in the world of skateboarding, reflecting both the challenges faced and the astounding feats achieved on the board. Stay tuned for more updates on the Monster Energy skateboarding team and their inspiring journeys!