Takeshi Yasutoko decimated the competition at the KIA X Games Asia, as the Japanese star won the AIL Vert gold medal for the fourth time in the history of the competition.

Living life on the edge is pretty much how these skaters like it, and several of them clearly had that on their mind as technicians like Cesar Andrade, Leonid Kamburov, Rich Parker and the rest of the AIL Vert field sought to displace Yaustoko from the gold medal podium at the end of the day.

Alas, their efforts were in vain as the Japanese wowed the crowd with some magical moves, unveiling a Alley hoop double front 720 spin that the star christened the "Seven-seven", which left the Jiangwan crowd breathless, especially the women, which could be heard from the shrieks that emerged everytime Yasutoko flashed his pearly whites while hanging mid-air.

But to be fair, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Yasutoko, who had to be on his guard from a technically-adept Parker, who showed off his moves in the Finals with two successive side 360 flips. Unfortunately for the Englishman, his efforts came to naught as he crashed hard on his fourth run, but Parker was still rewarded with the silver medal for his efforts.

Yusuke Aihara was also clearly gunning for his compatriot, mimicking him with several 720 spins and double flat spins, as well as reaching almost as dramatic a hang as Yasutoko.

Unfortunately for Aihara, it was clear that he just didn't have the same finesse as the "Samurai", and had to settle for the bronze medal after raking in 71 points.

The 23-year-old was overjoyed after his victory, and speaking to the press after his win, gushed: " I'm so happy!"

"The Shanghai fans are so loud, and I love being here!"

Yasutoko gave an insight towards how hard it had been after coming back from a ligament injury, saying: " I only started skating again this year (2011) and I took a long time come back to full fitness, while also mastering my new move, the ‘seven-seven'".

The Kobe-native also gave a shout-out to his beleaguered countrymen in the north-east of Japan, who are still struggling with the damage an earthquake wrought in March 2011.

Yasutoko was wearing a shirt emblazoned with the words "I believe Japan will rise again", and the skater was emotional as he admitted that all he could do for Japan was to skate his very best.

"My friends and family are safe", explained the Japanese, " but Japan is still in chaos."

"I want to do something for them, so I want to send this message on my tee-shirt to the world to remind them of Japan, and keep us in their hearts", he added.

Moving back to skating, Yasutoko also gave an insight to what he thought won him the gold in Shanghai this year.

"I think my Viking Flip in my first run, and my double-front spin in the second made the difference.

"Also, my style is higher", he added.

When asked what he thought about the massive numbers of women supporters in the arena who only had eyes for him, the suddenly-shy star mumbled: "I have a girlfriend in Japan, she's my best supporter."

And with that, the sound of a thousand breaking hearts could be heard in the Jiangwan Stadium.

Better luck next time, ladies!