Brazilian Luan Oliveira put on a spectacular skateboarding display on day one of the Maloof Money Cup South Africa presented by Kumba Iron Ore in Kimberley on Saturday to headline the line-up of finalists for Sunday’s Pro Street World Championships.

The action-packed semi-finals saw strong performances from the Brazilian skateboarders and Oliveira thrilled the crowds with his kickflip noseslide 270 shuvit out. Canadian Ryan Decenzo killed the big section with tricks like switch 270 to front board and switch blunt slide down the rail.

Brazilian Filipe Gustavo and Micky Papa of Canada join the top two to automatically go through the top bracket for the finals. Last year’s runner-up and former South African Tommy Fynn once again received tremendous support from the home crowd and qualified with impressive tricks like a kick flip crooked grind down the rail. Fynn was edged out of the 2011 finals by Ishod Wair last year and looks in superb form.

The official opening ceremony on Friday night saw thousands gather at the Maloof skate plaza for a fun-filled evening with live entertainment by Jack Parow, La Des and DJ Dino Bravo. Thousands of skateboarding enthusiasts packed the stands to see exhilarating skateboarding action during the street qualifiers and the mini-mega finals as well as a live performance by international rapper superstar Lil Jon. Billed as the greatest skateboarding event in the world, the contest carries a total prize purse of R4-million.

Action came briefly to a halt when Danny Mayer fell and injured himself during practise. He is currently in a stable condition in a Kimberley hospital.

The vert skaters came out strong in the mini mega and had the crowds on their feet. Bob Burnquist took first place with an incredible backflip over the gap and a forward to fakie 720. PLG was second with a hard flip indy over the gap and a nollie heel flip 540 on the quarterpipe. Andy McDonald finished third.

The top twelve pro skaters will proceed to the finals of the Pro Street World Championships on Sunday:

1. Luane Oliviera
2. Ryan Decenzo
3. Filipe Gustavo
4. Micky Papa
5. Justin Figuera
6. Manny Santiage
7. Kelvin Hoefler
8. Tommy Fynn
9. Bryan Herman
10. Andrew Reynolds
11. Dlamini Dlamini
12. Neverton Casella
13. Collin Provost
14. Nick Merlino
15. Max Genin
16. Lizard King
17. Moses Adams
18. Chad Fernandez
19. Kutis Calomonico
20. Kechard Johnson
21. Louis Taubert
22. Alexandre Massotti
23. Sierra Fellers
24. Garrett Hill
25. JP Oliveira
26. Luis Tolentino
27. Es Sutat
28. Danny Rosario
29. Farris Rahman
30. Ply Siltichok
31. Braydon Szafranski
32. Fereze Rahman
33. Ronnie Creager
34. Justin Brock
35. Fabio Cristiano
36. David Bachinsky

For more information about the Maloof Money Cup South Africa, go to www. maloofmoneycup.com. Watch the LIVE webcast of the Maloof Money Cup World Skateboarding Championships on the official Maloof Money Cup YouTube channel on the following dates/times: Saturday, Sept. 29: 12:45 p.m. - 6:30 a.m. EDT/ 9:45 p.m. - 3:30 a.m. Pacific

Sunday, Sept. 30: 2:45 p.m. - 4:30 a.m. EDT/ 11:45 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. Pacific

ENDS

Issued by PERIDOT COMMUNICATIONS

On behalf of 2012 Maloof Money Cup South Africa

For media enquiries, please contact Ronelda Visser on 0832733984.