Eito and Takeshi Yasutoko face-off in a battle for first

Shanghai – The Yasutoko brothers are perhaps the most exciting X Games athletes from Asia and they are set to return for the tenth edition of X Games Asia. In a classic case of sibling rivalry, Eito and Takeshi, who are both veterans on the local circuits, will once again be close rivals in Aggressive In-line Vert.

Younger brother Takeshi is the number one athlete in Vert on the AIL circuit and one of the most exciting athletes in this sport. Takeshi started out when he was only three-years-old and joined the ASA Pro Tour at the age of nine. Now 21, Takeshi is already considered a veteran. 

His elder brother, Eito, has skated for 22 years - he’s just 24 this year. For years, Eito has been revered as one of the most progressive Vert skaters of all time, but he has now entered a league of his own. The only obstacle to him being dominant in the sport is his younger brother.

Talking to espnstar.com’s Eugene Han reporting from Shanghai, the brothers talk about their rivalry and thoughts ahead of KIA X Games Asia.

EH: Welcome back to Shanghai guys. Both of you have been in the X games circuit for donkey years. What things still surprise you in your sport?

Eito: Well, I am still surprised by the progress of my younger brother and also by my friends.

Takeshi: Both of us have been skating together in international competitions since 1995, so we now have about 13 years of competition together and it seems natural for me. So there’s nothing special there.

Eito: We are brothers and rivals and, at the same time, also friends.

Takeshi: It helps that he can understand Japanese so it’s good for me!

EH: Well that must help a lot. So where do you guys hang out when you are off your skates?

Eito: I am working for my parents’ company – called ‘Good Skates Inc’ – and I am helping them to create the website. You can check out the site at goodskates.com

EH: Well, we can help you publicise…(Eito laughs). What about you, Takeshi?

Takeshi: When I am not skating, I go free-style skiing and in my free time. I play the drums.

EH: Do you have a band?

Takeshi: No there’s no band, it’s just for fun. (laughs)

EH: What do you think of the X-ification of the Olympics Games?

Eito: The Olympic Games has a bigger history than X Games. In Japan, it’s a more popular competition. Of course I am interested. Now I am not sure. My sport is not included in the Olympics Games yet so I can’t really say. If there ever was, yeah I think I would want to do it.

Takeshi: Of course. I am interested.

EH: Do you it will attract more Generation X and Y people to the Olympic Games?

Takeshi: Yeah, kids are more interested in the X Games than the Olympic Games. I think the Olympic Games are about sports but X Games are about sports as well as music and many other things.

EH: Shanghai has been a vibrant hub for action sports events like X Games Asia. Is Japan catching up?

Eito: In Japan it’s getting more popular and we have a skate-park. There’re more and more people buying the merchandise. I want to bring X Games into Japan one day.

EH: So Eito, what’s your aim for this year’s KIA X Games? Beat your brother?

Eito (laughs): Yeah, I am just coming back from my neck injury but I will try to enjoy the competition and do my best.

Takeshi: I will try to skate my best too.

Who: The Yasutoko Brothers
Where: Catch them at the KIA X Games Asia in KIC Jiangwan Sports Centre, Shanghai
When: 30 April – 3 May 2008
Nicknames: Takeshi – Samurai / Eito - Eight