Skater boy from Baguio snatch championship title in Invitational Skateboarding contest

Tabuk City, Kalinga – A Baguio resident and skateboarder emerged as the champion in the 15th Aurora Day Skateboarding Competition, which took place in Baler, Aurora, on February 11–12, 2024.

The skateboarding competition is an annual event in the province as part of the activities lined up for the celebration of its founding anniversary.

In the said sports event, more or less 70 skateboarders of all ages from 13 different cities and municipalities, including Baguio City, joined the event.

Ricardo T. Diaz, Jr., bagged first place in the ‘Tito’ category for ages 35 and above, beating 22 other skateboarders.

He was lauded for his discipline and sports excellence, which serve as an inspiration to the nation, especially for those who seek alternative sports.

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, he shared how he developed a keen interest in and grew to love skateboarding in 2002 due to the influence of his older cousins and brother. It took him a while before he was able to learn tricks in the said sport.

“I was inspired when I met a lot of skaters from different places while I was able to watch them in live competitions,” he conveyed.

He also narrated that, at the age of 16, he joined a skateboarding competition in Olongapo in 2003, where he was hailed as the champion.

He also competed at the Megafest October Skate at Robinsons Starmills, San Fernando, Pampanga, on October 14–15, 2023, and won the Best Trick in Ledge in the Open Category.

He advocates promoting skateboarding as a recognized sport, attributing this to the recognition of skateboarding locally and internationally after its debut in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.