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Created on 2009-05-03
A chat with the Y-Brothers

Meet the tag-team brothers who have been the unbeatable duo in Aggressive In-Line for the past decade. Eito and Takeshi Yasutoko.

No arrogance, no impatience and definitely worthy champions.

That is the only way to describe the dynamic duo of Eito and Takeshi as they open up about sibling rivalry, skating and a particularly big nose.

Just after winning his fourth individual X Games Asia gold medal, Takeshi was his usual quirky self with a huge smile across his face.

Eito who could only muster a bronze medal, sat beside Takeshi, displaying none of the jealousy or angst towards his younger brother who finished ahead of him here in Shanghai.

"No, no, no! No jealousy. I do get upset from time to time with the results but never towards my brother. Sometimes, I get frustrated with the judges and their scoring but that is about it. There has been no fighting between the two of us because of skating." he retorted.

And like a true big brother who is constantly looking out for his sibling, he continued: "I am the one who has to do everything in the past. Registering for competitions, making contact with tournament officials and stuff. I am doing many things, even like helping to translate for Takeshi during interviews, sometimes I am so busy, I cannot concentrate on skating. It can get tiring.

"But now, Takeshi has learnt how to speak the English language and hopefully he'll get better soon and can help me!"

The brothers admitted that sometimes, they know each other so well that words need not be said. One glance or a stare and they know what the other party wants.

Throughout the interview, the affable duo kept laughing and giggling whenever they tried to comprehend the questions thrown at them but it is obvious that they both love a joke or two when tasked with the mission to describe each other in three words.

Eito started it off by saying, "Takeshi is talented and handsome!"

Not to be outdone by his sibling, Takeshi quipped: "Eito is tough, always smiling and has a big nose!"

Laughter filled the room but Takeshi took on a more serious outlook when quizzed with what he thought was his elder brother's shortcomings.

"Sometimes, I feel my brother is a bit negative in his skating. Conservative is probably the word." he said with a straight face.

But Eito in typical fashion was full of praise for Takeshi and said: "Takeshi is always powerful. Be it in skating or normal life. As a person, he is very good at everything he does. Be it his hobby which is playing the drums or anything else."

Having been pro-skaters for so many years despite their young age, Eito and Takeshi both know they need to stick together as a unit to continue being successful.

"We talk about our performances and runs. We will give each other advice on what worked and what didn't. Also, we try as much as we can to help look out for the other team (Japanese) members." Eito said.

Despite the fame and popularity these boys enjoy all over the world, the Y-Brothers are still relatively unknown back in their homeland.

Eito summed it up best when he said: "In-Ling skating is not that popular in Japan. Back home, we are not popular individually. They only know the Yasutoko brothers. We have to explain who is Takeshi and who is Eito all the time!"

With that, the blood brothers walked away with their entourage of Japanese friends and fellow skaters with another two medals in the bag.

X Games Asia fans will have to brave months of hibernation before the Yasutoko brothers unleash their amazing tricks in China once again.



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