Fansided

5 skateboarders you have to watch at X Games Minneapolis 2018

By Michelle Bruton

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 13: Bucky Lasek does a McTwist during skateboard vert practice during the X Games on July 13, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 13: Bucky Lasek does a McTwist during skateboard vert practice during the X Games on July 13, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Mariah Duran in action in the Women’s prelim heats session during day one of the 2018 SLS Pro Open at the Copper Box, London. (Photo by Steven Paston/PA Images via Getty Images)
Mariah Duran in action in the Women’s prelim heats session during day one of the 2018 SLS Pro Open at the Copper Box, London. (Photo by Steven Paston/PA Images via Getty Images) /

Mariah Duran (Park)

Mariah Duran, 21, will compete in her fifth X Games this month after her recent turn at X Games Norway this spring, where she placed seventh in the skateboard street discipline.

The Albuquerque, New Mexico, native got her start in skateboarding when her brother, Elijah, introduced her to the sport. Though she says her mom “wasn’t too thrilled on it,” instead suggesting she continue to pursue softball or basketball, with the support of her friends and family Duran has become one of the most promising young female skateboarders in the game today.

Duran is now a member of the Meow Skateboards pro team along with Lacey Baker and Vanessa Torres, and recently had the opportunity to design her own deck.

Duran holds a silver medal from her impressive performance at X Games Austin in 2016, but hasn’t been on the podium since. Though medaling is her main focus this month, she’s also feeling very zen about the whole experience.

“The thing about skating is you’re gonna win or lose and there’s really no in between,” Duran tells FanSided. “You have to accept that some days you don’t skate the best, but it doesn’t determine your overall skateboarding.”

Duran’s signature trick is the hardflip, and she’s likely to be the only woman in the park discipline to have it in the bag. If she can land it, she can win.

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