TOKYO (Reuters) - When Denmark's Rune Glifberg, nicknamed the "Danish Destroyer", dropped into the concrete bowl to kick off the men's park skateboarding competition on Thursday, his rivals and team mates in stands erupted in cheers.

At 46, Glifberg is the oldest skater competing in the men's contest on Thursday and has been a household name for decades after he was featured in the very first Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game in 1999.