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From: colinbane.bnqt.com August 02, 2009 |
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My colleague Jimbo has been handling most of BNQT's X Games coverage, so I'll direct you instead to this curious piece of X Games-related reporting in the Sunday New York Times: Some X Games Bad Boys Turn To the Bible, since Christian Hosoi went on to win the Skateboard Park Legends Final today with some help from his saviour. (Photo above by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images, via NYTimes.com)
The article opens with FMX star Brian Deegan and the story of the Metal Mulisha's wholesale conversion to born-again Christianity, then touches on Hosoi's story, mentions Jereme "preach it from the roof in your birthday suit" Rogers, and delves into Paul Rodriguez' pre-run prayer ritual.
Here's an excerpt:
Skateboarding, too, has been transformed somewhat.
Christian Hosoi, 41, was a high-flying rival to Tony Hawk during the 1980s. On Sunday, he will compete in the Legends event at the X Games.
“I was such a rebel against conforming to government or society because we skateboarders were so radical and we wanted to be outlaws,†he said about his professional heyday. “We were totally individuals, image-driven. It was more a lifestyle.â€
Drug addiction derailed Hosoi. He spent nearly five years in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine. He was released in 2004 but not before embracing Christianity.
“There wasn’t another option back in my day,†Hosoi said about the image he fostered as a professional skater. “It was either you were hard core against it all, or you’re not cool and you’re out.â€
Today, Hosoi is an associate pastor at a church in Huntington Beach, Calif., and he travels the world as an evangelist.
“I’m using my popularity, the history, my image and my accomplishments to preach the gospel,†he said.
My question is... Is this why Hosoi, inventor of the Christ air and its inverted variation, doesn't do Anti-Christ airs anymore?
![[Interview] Jake Blattner - Snowboard to Rally](http://cdn.bnqt.com/network/blockwood.bnqt.com/media/bill-lockwood/0017-0abdfe11-4b9e40c9-59d7-5681b421_thumb.jpg)
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