For the 2026 season, we launched an online 'Golden Ticket' contest to scout some of the best up-and-coming athletes, offering them a direct pass to the semifinals, along with covered hotel, registration, and travel expenses. Here are the winners who caught our judges' attention with their skills and incredible skating.
STREET GOLDEN TICKET WINNERS
Javier Cardozo
Stavropol contest invited athlete
Sponsors: Adidas, Woodoo Skateboard, Finest
Hailing from Mar del Plata, Argentina, Javier Cardozo is a phenomenal street talent known for his technical combos and incredible late flips. Sponsored by Finest, Adidas and Woodoo Skateboards, he represented his country internationally in Russia before winning the Men’s Street JACKALOPE Golden Ticket.
Mirai Akimoto
JACKALOPE Medalist
Sponsors: Nike Tokyo, Tanabata Skateboard
Coming from Japan, Mirai Akimoto is a technical street skateboarder known for her precise board control and execution on rails and ledges. After winning the 2026 Jackalope Golden Ticket, she secured a podium finish at Virginia Beach with a kickflip back lipslide on the down rail. Mirai is now taking her street game to the next stop in Mississauga.
VERT GOLDEN TICKET WINNERS
Jojo Jones
JACKALOPE Gold Medalist, Curb Show Vert Pro-Am 2026 Medalist
Sponsors: Hellsick skateboard, Vans
Jojo is ranked among the top young talents in the U.S., known for going higher than almost everyone over the coping of the vert ramp. As the Men’s Vert winner of the 2026 Jackalope Golden Ticket, he is ready to bring his explosive energy to the tour and prove why he is the future of vertical skateboarding.
Kaede Fraser
Sponsors: Go Beyonder
Kaede Fraser is an exceptional Japanese-Canadian skater rising through the ranks of women’s vert skateboarding. As the Women’s Vert winner of the 2026 Jackalope Golden Ticket, she is a young talent to watch on the ramp for the next stops.
PUBLIC CHOICE WINNERS
In addition to the four Golden Ticket winners selected by our judges, we added two Public Choice spots with travel, hotel, and registration expenses fully covered. So many of you voted on our platform, and these are the two talented athletes you wanted to see compete, getting their well-deserved chance at the event!
Kylie Frank
JACKALOPE Gold Medalist, Exposure Skate Open-Pro Medalist, Redbull Origin Medalist
Sponsors: Santa Cruz Skateboards, Etnies, Bones, Slappy's Garage, and more...
Kylie Frank is a premier American skateboarder who made waves by winning the Women's Street category at JACKALOPE Virginia Beach. Beyond this triumph, the California native boasts a stellar competitive track record, including podium finishes at the prestigious Exposure Skate Open-Pro, a 2nd-place finish at Red Bull Origin, and consistent appearances in the final rounds of elite street events like SLS Apex.
Yuina Tachibana
Yuina Tachibana is a true fan favorite on the international stage, recently crowned the 2026 Public’s Choice winner in our online Golden Ticket Vert competition. Driven by massive fan support, this powerhouse of precision and style blends flawless execution with a creative flow that completely captivates the crowd in every single session.
WILD CARDS SELECTED BY MIKE BOISVERT
Outside our Golden Ticket and Public's Choice contests, we commissioned Mike Boisvert (The Skate Nomad) to find two underrated skaters who deserve a spot on the international circuit. Unlike the Golden Ticket winners, these Wild Cards did not enter the online competition; Mike discovered them during his travels to connect with global skateboarding communities.
Boipelo Awuah
South African Olympic Athlete
Sponsors: Vans South Africa
Coming from Kimberley, South Africa, Boipelo Awuah is an incredible skateboarding sensation who honed her skills despite limited local infrastructure. Because of her exceptional talent and fierce determination, notably bouncing back from major Olympic setbacks, Mike Boisvert selected her as a 2026 Wild Card winner, giving her the opportunity to showcase her world-class skills against the best in Mississauga.
Lofo Nirina
Coming from Antananarivo, Madagascar, Lofo is an incredible skateboarder who learned the sport in a place where skateboarding is far from popular and where there are very few places to practice. Because of his exceptional talent, determination, and mindset, Mike Boisvert selected him as one of the 2026 Wild Card winners, giving him the opportunity to leave his hometown and its limited resources to compete against some of the best skateboarders in Mississauga.
