Japan reigns supreme in one urban sport – BMX Freestyle Flatland. Riders pull off gravity-defying tricks using only their bodies and their BMX bikes on a flat surface with no ramps or other equipment. The riders can use any part of the BMX in their routine, and the sport places much importance on originality. Successful riders are those who carve out their own style. At recent world championships, Japanese riders are dominating the podium. We speak to three world-class riders, and discover the Flatland skills that took them all the way to the top.
J-Arena features top athletes from Japan and their sports, as well as up-and-coming talent, and unique traditions from the Japanese sports scene. We also explore the diverse world of Japan's martial arts, from traditional samurai battlecraft to contemporary fighting arts.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.