Where the World Skateboarding Tour differs from invitational events is our Open format, meaning any national federation in the globe can register and send their hotshoes to pit their ripping against the best in the world at competitive skateboarding.

As a result, away from the sharp end of podium places and Olympic qualification strategies, other battles rage.

190 skateboarders entered WST Kitakyushu; some for their very first time on the World Skateboarding Tour.

This is why the WST has become such a talent feeder for everything else in skateboarding: look at how many people enter the WST as unsponsored unknowns, just for the industry to pretend to discover them later.

The first place to be seen is on the WST, and so we are constantly aware of surging talent throughout the World Skateboarding Ranking- which is where Indonesia’s 16-year-old Zaidhar Ibrahim comes in.

Making his WST debut in Japan last November, Zai not only came a commendable 61st at his first contest alongside the people who’s video parts he grew up watching- but impressed everyone who watched him with that feet-like-hands ability which separates hard workers from naturals.

The World Skateboarding Ranking’s 18-month rolling results window means that Zai can, for the moment, claim a debut ranking of 135th in the world; more importantly, he did everything which he came to do- backlips on the head-height (for him) outbar, and selfies with heroes included.

If you’d like to know a little bit more about what Zai is all about, then you could do worse than watch his closing part from clothing brand Hammerstout’s ‘Age Of Becoming’ video, filmed on the frenetic, kinetic streets of Indonesia:

Indonesian OG Abdul Kadir had this to say about the Indonesian upstart he has watched flourish since a kid:

“Zaidhar is a young skater from Bandung City, three hours’ drive from Jakarta; he’s been showing up consistently at Indonesian comps since he was really little. Super active, always skating, and what stands out most is how fast his progression has been compared to most kids his age.

He’s also very supported by his dad, which makes a massive difference at that age. Bandung is a great environment, too- lots of skaters with really ‘stylo’ flavour, and strong street style… Zaidhar has grown inside that scene.

Honestly, he’s one of those ‘golden boy’ types in the same category as Basral (Hutomo) in terms of natural development. Not many kids adapt that quickly and start landing more advanced tricks in such a short time.”

Welcome to the World Skateboarding Tour, Zai- we look forward to seeing more of and from you in the future!