WATCH: Ballito airwalking prodigy skates to the USA world champs
Homeless from the age of nine, Biyela discovered skateboarding and a passion for the sport before he was spotted by global skating legend Tony Hawk in the early 2000s.
PHOTO: Grant McLachlan
Ballito’s Thalente Biyela (26) will be competing against the world’s best skateboarders at the 2019 Vans Park Series (VPS) World Championship in Salt Lake City, USA next month.
He sealed his spot for this all-expenses paid trip when he took first place at the recent 2019 Vans Park Series Africa Regional Championship held at Cape Town’s Shred Skate Park, the country’s only world championship bowl skateboarding qualifier.
Biyela’s journey to this point has been paved with challenges, but his tenacious spirit and innate talent has seen him continue to break new ground.
Homeless from the age of nine, Biyela discovered skateboarding and a passion for the sport before he was spotted by global skating legend, Tony Hawk, while on a trip to South Africa in the early 2000s.
With the help of a five-year pro-visa, Biyela was able to compete on the American professional skateboarding circuit basing himself in Los Angeles.
This incredible story was captured in the award-winning documentary ‘I am Thalente.”
Having had a break from the competitive circuit the past few years, Biyela said he was thrilled about his recent win and the opportunity to take on big-name skaters at the VPS World Championships.
“I had a long break from competing while we filmed the documentary, so winning the Vans Park Series championship feels amazing. This is a big comeback for me and I am excited to be on a roll.”
His recent win has inspired Biyela to, once again, reach for the stars as he said his dream now is to get to the Olympics 2020 and compete.
The Vans Park Series attracts hundreds of riders from across the world to compete in a number of ranked events.
Competitions are held in some of the world’s best skate parks, including Pro Tour stops in São Paulo, Brazil, Paris, France, Shanghai, China and Montréal, Canada.
It was only in 2018 that Africa joined the tour, made possible by the creation of a world-class bowl at The Shred Skate Park, funded by Vans South Africa.
The facility gave local skateboarders the opportunity to develop their skills and finally compete in an internationally-sanctioned event.
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