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April 24, 2014

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Pump it up for action-packed Extreme Games

IT’S time to get extreme. The 2014 Kia World Extreme Games return to Shanghai for the eighth year next week. The games will be held at KIC Jiangwan Sports Center in Yangpu District from April 30 to May 3.

Organizers said a new event — freestyle motocross — international ramp to ramp competition — will be added to the calendar this year.

More than 200 extreme sport athletes from 30 countries and regions will compete in five categories — BMX freestyle, aggressive in-line, skateboarding, speed climbing and international freestyle motocross events. They will vie for US$250,000 in prize money.

Organizers have promised a bigger festival-like atmosphere in the interactive zone this year by adding beatboxing, which is a form of vocal percussion, drum and dance performances along with a photography contest. Fans can also get up-close to some of the athletes during autograph sessions, or demonstrate their creativity in the Skateboard Design Contest.

Big names competing this year include Vince Byron, Pierre-Luc Gagnon, Mitchell Brusco, the Yasutoko brothers and Tom Schaar. Skateboarder Andy MacDonald, defending champion in the mini-mega ramp and third in last year’s vert competition, will also compete in Shanghai.

BMX legend Mat “The Condor” Hoffman will be present as an event ambassador, though the 42-year-old American will not be competing.

“I’d recommend seeing the best in skateboarding, inline skating and freestyle motocross. The best in the world will be there to blow your mind with gravity defying feats of awesomeness,” Hoffman said in a message to Shanghai X Games fans.

Hoffman said he thinks some Chinese BMX athletes have the talent to hold their own internationally.

“BMX takes dedication and teaches you if you can dream it and are willing to work hard for it than anything is possible,” he said. “I think this philosophy is ingrained in the Chinese people, so I think they will embrace and excel at it. It’s a sport-as-art that is only limited by your imagination. In addition it’s a thrilling experience visually and athletically.”

Aggressive in-line skate demonstrations on the mini-mega ramp will be staged daily while the Madd Gear Scooter Troupe will also perform every day.

An artwork known as “Win-Wings,” which is made out of 100 recycled skateboards from all over the world, will be displayed during the Games.

A regular one-day ticket costs 200 yuan (US$32.27), but advance bookers can get it for 150 yuan. A grand seat costs 580 yuan.

Tickets are available at the websiteiDealShanghai.com.




 

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