Circle of Balance Judge: Kotaro Tanaka from Japan

Kotaro is going to be 1 of 5 judges at the Circle of Balance and the only asian Judge. Check out his interview:

When did you start riding and what made you start? Since I was 16. It’s been 20 years now. My ordinary bike got stolen, and the one I bought after that happened to be a BMX by coincidence. I had no idea that the bike was for doing tricks.

What’s your riding style? I create the moves so that I can express my feelings.

Any big influences? My mother.

What’s your killer move? Decade. Smith Decade. The jumping moves I use at the end of the flow.

What was the highlight of your career? Being champion for the 2004 K.O.G., earning 3rd place in the 2007 Flat Ground (Holland), and also earning 3rd place in the 2009 Extreme Summer Fes (Spain).

What is Red Bull Circle of Balance to you? A chance. It’s the biggest festival for BMX flatland. Whether the person be someone in the scene, participating in the contest, just watching…they all have something to gain.