Olympic Skateboarder Nyjah Huston Suffers Skull, Eye Socket Fractures After Accident

“Fractured skull, fractured eye socket. Taking it one day at a time. I hope yall had a better new years then me [sic],” Huston said.

Kelly McBride Ni

Published: 1/6/2026, 6:39:30 PM EST

Olympic Skateboarder Nyjah Huston Suffers Skull, Eye Socket Fractures After Accident — U.S. Olympian Nyjah Huston poses for a photo at the USA House at Paris 2024 in Paris on July 30, 2024. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC)

Olympic skateboarder Nyjah Huston revealed Monday on social media that he sustained a fractured skull and eye socket in a recent skateboarding accident.

In an Instagram post on Jan. 5, 31-year-old Huston shared images from his hospital bed and the accident scene. The photos captured paramedics treating him as he sat on a curb near an ambulance, as well as his recovery inside a medical facility.

“A harsh reminder how death defying skating massive rails can be,” Huston wrote in the caption accompanying the post. “Fractured skull, fractured eye socket. Taking it one day at a time. I hope yall had a better new years then me [sic],” he said, adding: “We live to fight another day.”

Other images captured Huston with a bruised, swollen eye, bundled in a blanket and hospital socks as he sat in a wheelchair outside Arizona’s HonorHealth medical facility.

Fellow professional skateboarders posted messages of support in the comments section. Tony Hawk wrote, “Heavy. Stay strong; we know you’ll be back.”

Ryan Sheckler added, “Man ... prayers for healing brother!” Other messages came from skateboarders Dashawn Jordan, Gustavo Ribeiro, and Luan Oliveira. Many commenters also used the opportunity to remind skateboarders about the importance of wearing helmets.

Huston is one of the most decorated skateboarders in the sport’s history. He has represented the United States at two Olympic Games, competing at the 2020 Tokyo Games and the 2024 Paris Games. At the Paris Olympics, Huston earned a bronze medal in the men’s street skateboarding final.

Following the Paris Games, Huston said in an Instagram post that it was “tough” having “a good shot at the win and not pulling through.”

In an interview with Reuters in August 2025, Huston said he planned to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“I’m stoked for the L.A. Olympics. I’m definitely going to try my best to be there. I plan to be there,” Huston told Reuters. “It helps having the extra motivation that it’s in Southern California, where I’ve lived for so long and where skateboarding really thrives. It’s SoCal living.”

Huston is a Northern California native who began skateboarding at age three. In 2023, he signed with talent agency WME after building a career marked by early success and major competitive achievements, according to Variety. He earned his first sponsorship at age 7, won Tampa Am at 10, became the youngest X Games competitor, collected 13 X Games gold medals and six world championship titles, and later qualified for the inaugural U.S. Olympic Skateboarding Team.