Tony Hawk's superb act as 12yo phenom makes skateboarding history
A 12-year-old skateboarder from Brazil has captured the hearts and minds of viewers around the world after clinching a stunning piece of history in front of the sport's biggest icon, Tony Hawk.
The legendary American - who inspired a generation of skaters - was on hand at the X Games in California as 12-year-old Brazilian Gui Khury became the first person in history to accomplish a trick not even Hawk managed to do.
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Khury landed a 1080 on a vert ramp to become the first skater to ever land the trick in competition, with the accomplishment earning him first place in the Best Vert Trick competition.
The Brazilian made more history after also becoming the youngest skater to ever win gold at the X Games.
There were incredible scenes in California as Khury broke down in tears of joy, with Hawk making the moment even more special after giving the youngster a well-deserved hug.
The skateboarding great - who himself became the first person to land a 900 at the X Games 22 years ago - also gave a special shoutout to Khury on social media as the world reacted to his stunning feat.
I jumped into the Best Trick event at @xgames this afternoon and managed to make a few things; it was my first time skating the event since 2003. So fun to be back in the mix! Congrats to Gui Khuri on pulling a 1080 for the 🥇 pic.twitter.com/wq8xJd0dxv
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) July 17, 2021
One of the most legendary moments of the #XGames history being written by 12 year old Gui Khury. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/EpnBmk2QiX
— Brooke (@brookencyde) July 17, 2021
WOWOWOW! In front of LEGEND Tony Hawk, too! #Wow #GuiKHury https://t.co/1yfuzbhn3n
— Bishop Walker (@BlakeWalker23) July 17, 2021
Of the things I did not expect to cry about today:
Skateboarding
12 year-old Gui Khury wiping his face with his t-shirt after becoming the first person to do a 1080 on a vertical ramp 😭😭😭 So amazing. https://t.co/5SDw3xTcfp— Allie Larkin (@AllieLarkin) July 17, 2021
Brazilian betters skateboarding legend
The 1080, a full three rotations in the air, comes 22 years after Hawk made history by landing the 900 at the 1999 X Games.
Hawk landed the trick a full eight years before Khury was even born. You can see the side-by-side video comparison in the tweet below.
53-year-old @tonyhawk, skating at #XGames for the first time since 2003.
The parallels between Hawk and Gui Khury: 22 years ago at X Games SF 1999, Hawk became the first to land a 900 on a vert ramp. Hawk did this 9 years before Khury was born (December 18, 2008). pic.twitter.com/NrZs5vzF80— X Games (@XGames) July 17, 2021
Adding to the fun of the occasion was Hawk's last-minute decision to enter the competition, the first time the 53-year-old has competed at the X Games since his retirement from professional competition in 2003.
Khury had already made history by landing the 1080 back in his native Brazil last year.
Three men had previously landed the trick, but only on a megaramp rather than a vert ramp.
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