Takeshi frustrated by the aXe

One half of the famous ‘Yasutoko Brothers', Takeshi has revealed his frustrations at the lack of competitions for in-line skaters.

Takeshi was in Singapore as part of the activities to launch the East Coast Skate Park and, with his bag of jaw-dropping tricks, stopped time as bystanders watched his fantasy flight on skates in awe.

"I like this skate park a lot. How can you not love it. The location is so fun, just by the beach with people cycling, hanging out, it all makes for a very relaxing mood that makes it like a chilled out affair." cooed the air-catcher.

But despite his scintillating demo performances at the big bowl at East Coast, Takeshi has an issue deeply rooted in his veins.

For those who have been following the X Games in recent years, the Aggressive In-Line Vert competition has always been one of the highlights of the show with the sibling rivalry between the Yasutoko brothers a highlight and veterans such as Shane Yost constantly pushing up the ante.

But a fatal blow came in 2005 at X Games XI when the organisers issued a statement declaring that they have decided to omit Aggressive In-Line from the next edition onwards.

The Y-Brothers were stunned and their biggest playground was no longer to be.

"I am very frustrated with the fact that Aggressive In-Line is no longer part of the Summer X Games. It leaves me with one less outlet to showcase my talents."

The well-liked skater went on to explain why he thought the event was pulled out from Summer X.

"I believe is it because there is a lack of American AIL skaters," he said.

"Also, AIL Vert has seen a decreased number of participants as the years go by which may have been the final key to pulling the plug."

Takeshi reckons even that the X Games is a whole new world right now with the many new initiatives that have been added to it.

"You have cars, motorbikes and other new events which I feel are there because they provide good visual entertainment. Very different from when Eito and I were involved in it.

"Things have changed so much but given a chance, I hope to see them bring AIL back to the X Games." said the Japanese skater.

However, rather than looking backwards, Takeshi is focused on helping to grow the sport around the world, especially in his homeland of Japan.

"Many people think Eito and I are big names in Japan. That we are like celebrities. Yes we do have fans who track our progress but not all Japanese know us.

"This can be attributed to the fact that AIL is not considered a sport in Japan and people are not exposed enough to it. I want to change that mentality and help make the sport more recognized. I really want to." He declared with a smile.

And finally, Takeshi reiterated his desire to showcase his repertoire of tricks on a stage equilvalent or even bigger than that of the X Games - the Olympics.

"Of course I want to AIL becoming a part of the Olympics. It will be very good for the sport but once again, it will be tough for that to happen as they are not enough skaters outside Japan be its America or Europe." he said with a shrug of the shoulders.

With that he tightened his skates and in one graceful move, sped down the giant bowl to go on another one of his mesmerizing runs that never fail to light up the crowd.

Catch Takeshi in action at the Extreme Championships 2009 from 29th to 30th August at the East Coast Skate Park.