Lester Kasai

Lester Kasai (born August 12, 1966) is an American retired professional skateboarder.

Biography

Kasai grew up in Anaheim, California. He began skating at a young age and was one of the original "Sadlands" team skateboard riders.[1]

He emerged as one of the top competitors of vert riding alongside such pros as Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, Christian Hosoi, and Mark "Gator" Rogowski.[citation needed]

Notable tricks

The Madonna grab, invented by Tony Hawk, was named by Hawk and Kasai. Kasai invented the Benihana.[2]

Kasai was the second person to do a McTwist, a few days after Mike McGill. He injured himself performing the trick shortly after and as a result no longer does the trick.[3][4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Lester Kasai". Archived from the original on March 12, 2014.
  2. ^ Dobija-Nootens, Nic (February 22, 2019). "The History of Skateboarding's Most Taboo Trick: The Benihana". Jenkem Magazine. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  3. ^ Hawk, Tony [@tonyhawk] (June 24, 2009). "who was the second person to do a McTwist? Mike McGill was first. I was not second (but I really tried to be)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2022 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ Hawk, Tony [@tonyhawk] (June 24, 2016). "The winner is @lurk with Lester Kasai. He did it a few days after McGill and then wrecked himself on one shortly after, then quit doing them" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 3, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2023 – via Twitter.