When the topic is sports in Japan, one is sure to learn that sumo wrestling is their national sport, and that baseball and soccer are at the top of their favorites list. But there is a sport, wherein the roles are reversed, and the Japanese are at the top of its favorites list--extreme action sports, specifically, in-line vert skating, and if one's been following the X-games competitions, he/she would know, that this article cannot be talking about anyone else but the Yasutokos—two brothers from Kobe, Japan, who have been hoarding the medals in this category ever since they turned pro.
The skating history of the brothers though, started long before their names were heard in the X-games. Both have been skating ever since they were 2 years old, and because their father Yuki Yasutoko also used to be a professional skater, and currently owns a skate park in Japan (Good Skates, Inc.), it's no wonder that these two made their way to the top, almost as fast as they can do their twists and turns in mid-air. But good skating background and genes aren't all that's needed for them to keep their high positions (they're currently no.1 and no.2 among in-line skaters world-wide).
Eito (20 yrs. old) is the older of the two, whose very name was taken from a skating move (the figure Eight), has decided to stop schooling and concentrate on being a professional skater. He's moved to the United States for more training, and so far, these decisions have resulted in his favor as he has just gotten his 3rd gold medal as world champion in the in-line vert skating category of the X-games 2003, making him the only skater so far to have been named champion for 3 years (1999, 2000, and 2003). Some skaters have even considered him undefeatable as he's one of the few who can throw in a single run several of the big tricks that other skaters don't even want to attempt, such as double back flips, flat spins, and his invented 1080 California roll. But although Eito does these with consistency and almost effortlessly, he acknowledges that his rivals are also very good and that he still has a lot to learn if he wants to stay on top—something that can easily be proven by his younger brother Takeshi, who, although is 2 years behind him in age, is hardly even a few steps behind when it comes to their skating skills.
Takeshi (17 yrs. old), who still lives in Japan, is in high school, and practices at least 3 hours a day after classes, has his own impressive collection of medals to show, including the gold medal for world champion in in-line vert skating of the X-games 2002. He also holds the record for highest altitude from the vert-pipe. And although his runs don't have as many big tricks as his older brother's, there's no denying that his flawless performance of stunts such as his trademark Viking flip and his favorite 1080 McTwist earns him his own place in the limelight.
The two brothers agree that the best part of being professional skaters is getting to travel around the world and making friends from many different places. But like the other Japanese their age, both of them are fond of reading manga, specifically Dragon Ball. One of their sponsors is even Shonen Jump, a publisher of manga (inc. Dragon Ball), and Eito's hobbies, aside from skating, actually include drawing. Although whether he'll pursue another career as an artist is yet to be known.
In the meantime, their contribution to the skating world is enough to put Japan at the top of yet another list, this time of worldwide sports.
Published in Akaishiroi News, the Official Newsletter of Nihon Kenkyu Kai Organization of DLSU Manila (Jan-Mar 2004 Issue)
