Chinese skateboarding pioneer to judge at Asian Games

As the second appearance of skateboarding at the Asian Games approaches, Tian Jun, a pioneer who has dedicated his life to promoting skate culture in China, will be on the panel of judges at the upcoming 19th Asian Games.

Skateboarding is steadily growing across China, especially after its appearance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, when Tian was also one of the judges of the competition.

In 1999, when the nearly non-existent subculture of skateboarding was slowly gaining traction in China, Tian found himself strongly drawn to the skate culture. Seven years later, he opened the first skate shop in southern China's major city Guangzhou.

"Back then the business of skateboard shops was really small in China. Only a few of my friends opened skate shops back in their cities, and I envied them a lot. So, in 2006, in this exact spot where we're sitting right now, I immediately rented out and opened this skate shop. As for the name, I thought about it a lot. What to name the shop? But since we're near Heroes Square, I just went with Hero Skate Shop," said Tian.

Having first picked up a board at the age of 15, Tian has long kept humble about who gets the credit for putting skateboarding on the map in China. In fact, he doesn't need any credit, as he has naturally found success through his dedication to the craft of skateboarding, and that has taken him to the international stage.

Asian skaters will gather in Hangzhou, east Zhejiang Province, this September to compete in the Asian Games. Tian said it is a chance to show how the skate culture has grown in China.

"Of course, we hope that athletes from other countries can do well. After all it's a fair stage for competition. It's a stage where all Asian skaters can come to China, and see how our skaters have improved their level. We also hope they can get a feel for China's skateboarding enthusiasm," he said.

The 19th Asian Games are set to run from Sept 23 to Oct 8 in Hangzhou.