Skateboarder Tony Hawk believes he can fly! After all, he can do a "900"- a 360° somersault done 21/2 times in midair! Hawk, 32, made history when he landed that trick at the '99 Summer X Games. It took him almost seven years to perfect.

Since turning professional at 14, Hawk has won more skateboarding contests than anyone else. Last year he was named ESPN's Best Alternative Athlete at the ESPY Awards. He has invented more than 50 tricks, and nearly every day spends hours "seeing what new things I can do." Hawk will interview athletes for ESPN at the Winter X Games February 1-4. The best part of his career? Says Hawk: "Being able to do what I love."

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February 2, 2001 World Report