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Mark Essa near perfect, set for Big Apple’s showdown

Skateboard expert Mark Essa will go places and today he is all set for a trip to the Big Apple.

Hundreds of people gathered at Deira Fountain in Dubai, where the wheels hit the pavement for UAE’s Red Bull Manny Mania 2012, a global skateboard series that has given a dream to skaters around the world, a media release stated.

Across 12 nations, five continents and countless manual pads and skate-parks, all lines lead to New York City, where the Red Bull Manny Mania World Final and Pro contest will return to Coleman Park on August 18-19.

The event is all based off the manual skate trick — where Red Bull Manny Mania got its name from — a balancing act that is a must-do in any new skateboarder’s skill set and yet can be made extremely difficult with limitless combinations.

In the UAE Qualifiers, 40 skaters had 2 hours to demonstrate their skills and skating tricks leading to the 2^nd consecutive win of Mark Essa, after 2010, who executed a perfect nose manual to late flip on the high box, which impressed the 4 judges.

The panel was led by Skateboarder and Red Bull Athlete Maxim Habanec as well as Kyle Smith, Sid De Lapaz and Luke Kelly.

“I don’t usually restrain myself to one trick so this competition was a real challenge. I’m really pleased I came first for the 2^nd time and plan on working hard to win the World Finals in New York City.” said Mark, the 17-year-old winner who did a great final heat managing difficult manual tricks by being the most consistent.

The podium was completed by Jan Hoffman (2^nd), and Max Velmitsziy (3^rd).

Red Bull Manny Mania was supported by Rage Shop, G. Shock and Monster Cables.

Mark Essa will travel to the US on August 18-19 to represent the UAE at the Red Bull Manny Mania World Finals in New York.

Readers can visit www.redbullmannymania.com throughout 2012 for updates, and stay tuned for the Red Bull Manny Mania World Final.

moni@khaleejtimes.com