If we talk about skateboard, it is impossible not to mention Tony Hawk, the American-born skater who rose to fame, and who at just 16 years old was already considered the best skater of the world. With his brother as his encourager, Hawk has a very interesting personal and professional history that makes him one of the most admirable figures worldwide.
An icon of a sport and an idol for several generations, this skater has managed to become a legend who, after many decades, continues to transmit the passion for the sport. skateboardIf you are interested in knowing a little more about this skating star, keep reading because here we leave you a list of 10 things you should know about Tony Hawk if you are a lover of the world of skateboarding.
1. When and where was Tony Hawk born?
Anthony Frank Hawk, better known as Tony Hawk, was born on May 12, 1968 in San Diego, California, the city where he has always lived. He is the third of three brothers with whom he maintains a very close relationship, as well as with his parents.
2. Did you know that during his childhood, Hawk had to deal with a hyperactivity problem?
As the own skater As he has defined himself, Tony Hawk was a very complicated child, and he suffered from hyperactivity and had a very high level of self-demand. There came a time when his parents, desperate for the situation, decided to take their son to a psychologist to try to understand the situation they were experiencing. During these visits, the psychologist revealed to Hawk's parents that the child had a mentality ahead of his age, that of an adult.
Tony's success is due to the fact that, from the age of eight, he never stopped practicing with that scooter in the skateparks closest to his house. This skater's skills were so great that at the age of 12 he already had his own manager, at 14 he was already a professional and at 16 he was the best skater in the world. A real skater!
Together with his brother he founded the California Amateur League and the National Skateboard Association.
3. Who was the person who encouraged Hawk to start skating?
Tony Hawk started skating thanks to his brother Dany who gave him his first skate in 1977 with the intention of trying to improve the hyperactivity situation that Tony was experiencing. It was with that skate that from that moment on he began to practice this sport to the point of dedicating himself fully to it.
4. What tricks has Tony Hawk invented?
In his long career, this skater has achieved numerous achievements that leave few indifferent. In 2004, Hawk already had more than 10 victories on his resume and several tricks of his own invention such as the 'Madonna', 'Benihana', 'Stalefish' and variations of the famous 'Airwalk'. On the other hand, he has also stood out for being, at just 17 years old, the first to achieve a '720' (two turns). In 1999, at 43 years old, he did a '900' (two and a half turns), which he practiced tirelessly... for 10 years!
5. Do you know what was the worst injury Tony Hawk suffered during his career?
When practicing any sport, but especially one like skateboarding where jumps and stunts are the order of the day, it is normal for athletes to suffer injuries.Hawk is no exception, and despite the numerous falls that the skater has experienced, without a doubt, the worst was the one that left him unable to participate in competitions for a year due to a broken pelvis, a broken thumb and a fractured skull.
Another problem for the skater came in the early 90s when he did not know how to manage his expenses and squandered most of the millions he had earned skating until he had to survive on just 5 dollars a day. Luckily, with the founding of Birdhouse and the launch of video games he managed to recover his economy. In addition, he created Hawk Clothing, a skate clothing and footwear company that would end up buying the Quiksilver brand.
6. Do you know what other hobby Hawk pursued for several years?
As a child, Tony Hawk combined his skateboarding training with his violin lessons, an instrument in which he also excelled. However, as his teacher, who saw great talent in him, wanted to take him to concerts on the weekends, a young Hawk had to choose one or the other, since he did not have enough time to devote himself to both completely.
7. He is the protagonist of several video games
In 1999 the skater signed a contract with the company Activision and created Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, his first video game in which he is the protagonist. Thanks to this new contract and the income it was bringing him, Hawk left the world of competition as a way of earning a living. In addition, according to the skater himself, he always chooses himself as a character when he plays his video games, since he says that he knows his movements very well and that this guarantees him better results in his games. Currently, this skating star has more than 10 video games about him, although according to Hawk himself, his children prefer to play others such as 'Call of Duty' or 'Halo'.
8. How many times has Tony Hawk appeared on television?
This famous athlete has appeared on television more than 20 times. One of the first times he did so was in the film 'Police Academy 4' in which he played a skater. In addition, he has also been seen in scenes from the series and films 'Jackass', as well as in other more dramatic productions such as 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' or dubbing the voice for productions such as 'Phineas and Ferb'.
He has also achieved certain personal recognitions, especially in 2009 when Barack Obama invited him to the White House and allowed him to skate inside it. On the other hand, the magazine Transworld Skateboarding named him the second most notable skater in history and for Fox Weekly He was one of the best skaters in the world
9. Do you know the foundation that the famous skater created?
In 2002, the skater created the 'Tony Hawk Foundation' The main objective of this foundation has always been to promote this sport, especially in the most disadvantaged areas of the United States. This foundation has created and financed more than 900 public skateparks, for which a sum exceeding three million dollars has been spent.
10. Do you know what the biggest madness is? skater admits to having committed?
According to Tony Hawk himself, the craziest thing he ever did was jump on a skateboard between two seven-story buildings in Los Angeles for an MTV show.
Talent has nothing to do with age and Tony Hawk has always made this very clear: despite being a professional at 14 and the best skater in the world at 16, he never settled for anything and kept trying new things with the aim of improving himself. He did a '900' for the first time at 43 and at 48 he decided that he wanted to perfect it and of course he did it.
Hawk is a model of success, self-improvement and, above all, perseverance, which, according to him, has led him to become the unbeatable athlete who, after so many decades, remains the idol of more than one generation.
