Australia's biggest 'dude' Keegan Palmer, 18, absolutely NAILS the first-ever GOLD medal in park skateboarding to make our Tokyo performance the equal BEST EVER at an Olympic Games

Gold Coast teenager Keegan Palmer nailed his final run to snare gold in the Olympic men's skateboard final on Thursday.

Palmer, 18, came into the final ranked fifth but quickly shot to the front, delivering an impressive first run score of 94.04 which left him as the skater to beat.

His competitors were unable to match his class in the bowl, with Palmer's final run delivering an even better final score of 95.83. 

Palmer's gold medal triumph equals Australia's best ever return at an Olympic Games, with 17 to date.

Aussie teen Keegan Palmer has snared a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics - in men's skateboarding

Gold Coast teenager Keegan Palmer with his gold medal after winning the final of the men's skateboard in Tokyo on Thursday

Palmer's final run delivered a final score of 95.83, which his rivals couldn't reel in, leaving the Gold Coast teenager an Olympic champion

It was also the debut of skateboarding as a sport at the Olympics, ensuring Palmer has forever etched himself into sporting history as the men's inaugural winner. 

An emotional Palmer was mobbed by his fellow athletes at the skate park after his exploits in the final.

After he secured the win, Palmer clasped his hands over his mouth as the enormity of what he had just achieved began to sink in.

'It's an absolute honour,' Palmer told NBC.

'I've been training for so long. I've been working my ass off for a long time.'

Australian teammate Kieran Woolley said it was 'sick' Palmer had delivered on the world stage.

'We are in a pretty strict lockdown but we might sink a few beers,' he said. 'I am so honoured to even call him my mate.'

Woolley went onto describe Palmer as a formidable competitor who 'took it to the next level' when he had to.

'It is legendary - Australia's first Olympic skateboarding gold. What a beast,' he added.

'He's a super cool dude. We've been pushing each other and skating better and better.'

Keegan Palmer outclassed his rivals on the big stage - and was visibly shocked after his epic win in the men's skateboarding

Gold Coast teen Keegan Palmer blitzed the field to win gold in the men's skateboard final

Moments before Keegan Palmer won gold, fellow Aussies Thomas Green and Jean van der Westhuyzen also snared gold in the K2 1000m final

While watching his gold medal presentation, one commentator described Keegan, who turned pro at just 14, as 'such a dude'.

Palmer was born in San Diego in the US and moved to Australia at a young age.

Teammate Woolley also left his mark at the skate bowl in Tokyo.

At at the end of his opening run in the qualification heats which initially put him first, Woolley inadvertently smashed into the nearby cameraman after performing a last-gasp rail grind.

The 17-year-old lost balance before completely wiping out the unlucky victim, who fell straight to the floor while still clutching his camera.

Woolley immediately put his hands to his head before apologising to the cameraman, who gave the thumbs up, while still holding his camera, to let him know no damage had been done.

Aussie skater Kieran Woolley provided a memorable moment for fans after crashing into a TV cameraman at the skate bowl

The cameraman dusted himself off, and continued filming, much to the relief of Aussie star Kieran Woolley

Kieran Woolley checks on a TV Cameraman that he crashed into during the Men's Skateboarding