Teen Girls Redefine Parkour at 2025 U.S. National Championships
Two 14-year-olds have made their mark at the 2025 U.S. National Parkour Championships. Jayde Palomo took first place, while June Porter secured third in the women's style division. Both athletes faced intense pressure as they competed at the highest level in their sport.
Palomo and Porter specialise in the style discipline of parkour, one of three competitive categories alongside skill and speed. The sport challenges participants to move between points in the most creative and efficient way possible. Despite its growing popularity, parkour remains misunderstood by many, with some dismissing basic moves as easy or linking it to pop culture tropes like jumping into cardboard boxes.
Around 3,000 certified parkour instructors exist worldwide, though no official count tracks total participants. The lack of reliable data extends to the U.S., where community sizes in different regions remain unclear. For Palomo and Porter, being among the few girls in a male-dominated sport only deepened their bond.
Porter now hopes their success will inspire others to try parkour. She wants the sport to build a more inclusive and welcoming community for future athletes.
The achievements of Palomo and Porter highlight the skill and dedication required in parkour. Their performances at the national level may help shift perceptions of the sport. With growing interest, the discipline could see even wider participation in the years ahead.
