Though names like Lydia Jacoby and Momiji Nishiya may not have rung a bell only a week ago, they sure will now.
With most of the spotlight on household names to take home medals at the Tokyo Olympics this year, many have unintentionally overlooked the abilities of the younger athletes.
Ranging in age from as young as 13 to 18, these athletes have shocked fans in their triumphs so far, achieving gold medals in sports such as swimming, skateboarding and gymnastics. There is no formal minimum age for the Olympics, but individual sports do have eligibility requirements.
Here, WWD takes a look at all teen athletes who have medaled at the Summer Olympics so far. Read on for more.
Olympics women’s 100m breaststroke final at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Lydia Jacoby from the USA celebrates her first place win. (Michael Kappeler/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)
Michael Kappeler/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
Lydia Jacoby, U.S.
Hailing from Alaska, the 17-year-old is the first Olympic swimmer to hail from the state. This week, Jacoby shocked fans when she won the gold medal in the women’s 100 meter breaststroke final, defeating South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker and her own teammate and fan-favorite Lilly King, who won the event in the last Olympics. An incoming senior at Seward High
