Christian Hosoi Wins X-Games Legends Competition

I used to hang out with most of these guys back in the day. And Christian Hosoi in particular never put on airs - "stuck up" airs, that is. As a skater he put up some of the biggest blasting vertical airs of his day - and he always made time to say hello to fans and young beginners looking for heroes. I love the dude.

From the Los Angeles Times, "Christian Hosoi wins skateboard legends final: The skateboarding fixture from the 1980s defeats Chris Miller for the gold medal":

Ten of the most influential figures in skateboarding convened Sunday for a showdown tabbed the skateboard park legends final.

Christian Hosoi and Chris Miller supplied the excitement, rekindling the competitive edge that made them skateboarding fixtures in the 1980s.

Hosoi withstood Miller's tricks and forged ahead late in the final heat to win the gold medal at the Home Depot Center.

"We're far from dead," Hosoi said. "To be out here experiencing X Games competition and then winning gold, it's one of the greatest moments of my life."

Lance Mountain won the bronze medal. And there was a two-way tie between Steve Caballero and Tony Magnusson for fourth place.

Here's a blog post on the event, Christian Hosoi wins Skateboard Park Legends title." But check this part out from the side notes at the Times, "Happy Hosoi":

Christian Hosoi, the high-flying pastor from Huntington Beach, prevailed in the inaugural skateboard park legends final.

Afterward, he said, "It's incredible to be out here, just to be alive, you know what I mean?"

The 41-year-old Hosoi, who spent five years in prison on drug-related charges, added: "Things that I went through in life -- to be out here experiencing X Games, competition and then winning gold -- it's one of the greatest moments of my life."

Here's a biography:

Skateboarding's first rockstar, "Holmes" as he’s known to his peers was untouchable as a vert skater in the 80s for his speed, massive Christ and Rocket airs, and flamboyant fashion sense. As vert was replaced in the early 90s by street skating, Christian disappeared from the spotlight, but his legacy wasn’t forgotten. After a drug arrest in 2000, just as the X-Games and other contests were breathing new life into vert skating, Christian spent five years in prison. Christian found salvation with Christianity, never lost his love for skateboarding, and upon being released, hit the ground rolling. Newly wed to his longtime girlfriend Jennifer, the skate world welcomed him back with open arms as he was kitted head-to-toe in the best sponsors and had photos in every magazine. The documentary Rising Son: The Legend of Christian Hosoi is the story of his life. The new generation of skaters has taken note of his classic style and ability to rip everything from vert ramps, to skateparks, to backyard pools.

Check Hosoi's homepage for some warmup video from Home Deport Center.

Besides that, not too much available yet, so check the video below, dated 2006, for some hot clips of Hosoi in action. Note especially at 53 seconds where Christian's doing a frontside air with an underside grab - it's effortless, and that's the kind of skating the made Hosoi one of the greatest of that generation:

Check out Christian's family pics at his MySpace page as well.

God bless you man.