Ben Hatchell said: âSkateboarding is my daytime job, as of right now.âThe 29-year-old, Manassas, Virginia, the resident is stoked by the possibility of being a member of the U.S. Olympic team when the sport debuts in Tokyo 2020.
Fans from all over the world who want to watch the live-action of Olympic Street Skateboarding can buy Olympic Street Skateboarding Tickets online.Hatchell said: âI think they just wanted something new and exciting, and they finally wised up to try out skateboarding,â Hatchell began skating: âabout 15 years ago, just because all the kids in my parentsâ neighborhood were doing it, and it looked cool.âThe Olympics will have Street and Park competitions, for men and women.
For the inexperienced, Hatchell said the street event resembles tricks skaters would do in an urban environment, âlike stair sets, handrails, ledges,â in a competition course.Hatchellâs forte is the park event: âIf anyoneâs ever gone by a local skate park with large ramps, it would resemble that.âPerforming tricks with names like front bluntslides, backside feebles, and kickflips into Indy grab, Hatchell has progressed through two Olympic qualification rounds.
Next stop, the 2019 World Park Skateboarding Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil.And thatâs where his friends come in lifetime skateboarder and industry pioneer Mike Mapp known as Micro to his counterparts is helping raise awareness and money for his friendâs attempts to get to Tokyo.Mapp, 58, who helped design and build the Centreville, Virginia, ramp featured in the documentary âBlood and Steel: Cedar Crest Country Clubâ is offering to help cover Hatchellâs expenses required to make the Olympic team.Mappâs ramp building company, Ramptech, has organized a private event in which friends will contribute $100 for a âshred sesh,â or skating session.And, Hatchell has set up a GoFund me page for any members of the public willing to help him achieve his goals.Mapp said: âThis is going to help him travel to places like Brazil, and China, and wherever these qualifiers are.
Oftentimes, these are two-week trips, and you have to stay in places, and theyâre not cheap, thatâs for sure.âDuring his skating prime, Mapp had sponsors to pick up the tab on some of the expenses.
Hatchell said as the popularity of skateboarding expands, the demands on sponsors do as well.Hatchell said: âSponsors currently arenât footing the bill for as many contests as there are.