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THE CIRCUS rolls into town today at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, but you won't see a single acrobat, farm animal or ringmaster if you decide to go. When the Blazin' Circus kicks off at 1 p.m., some of the world's best BMX riders, skateboarders and inline skaters will be on hand to provide an experience that's definitely more entertaining than watching a clown ride a miniature tricycle.
This female inline skater
What and when
is good enough to be just
one of the guysBy Jason Genegabus
jason@starbulletin.comFor female inline skating sensation Fabiola da Silva, 23, a summertime trip to Hawaii provides a welcome chance to relax -- if you could call her physical feats relaxing. As a member of the Aggressive Skaters Association, da Silva spends most of her time between March and October circling the globe to compete in various competitions. Since the Blazin' Circus is a festival and not an actual contest, da Silva can kick back a little and enjoy the ride.
"I'm excited to go," said da Silva recently from Costa Mesa, Calif., before departing for Hawaii. "I want to go to the beach and stuff. We're going to have a couple of days off, so I'm really looking forward to it."
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It didn't take long for da Silva to get noticed after she first strapped on a pair of skates as a young girl in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She started skating at a local park after giving up a different set of wheels."I used to skateboard before I rollerbladed," said da Silva. Once her parents bought skates for the then 15-year-old, da Silva was soon entering hometown competitions, and managed to land on the radar of U.S. professional skaters Chris Edwards and Arlo Eisenberg.
"We had this huge party there (in Brazil) that brought a couple of Americans," she said, downplaying the drastic change in her life that resulted from the introduction. "We all skated together and exchanged addresses. After six months I got a letter inviting me to the X-Games in 1996."
And the rest, they say, is history. When da Silva left the 1996 X-Games a gold medalist and went on, at 17, to be selected as the only female on Team Rollerblade, she had already made an impact on a sport dominated by guys.
The late '90s saw da Silva continue to dominate the X-Games, racking up two more gold medals in 1997 and 1998 and a silver in 1999. Her ability to compete on a level equal to the male skaters in the ASA prompted the organization to sit up and take notice, establishing what is now known as the "Fabiola Rule" in 2000. Up until that point there were gender divisions for each of the ASA's vertical skating contests. The new rule changed that and allowed women to measure their talent among the best in the world.
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Bring up the "Fabiola Rule" with da Silva, however, and it doesn't seem like that big a deal."They just made the rule because I was skating with guys," she said with a laugh. "I didn't do anything or say anything. (But) I didn't mind, because I was doing pretty well. I love skating, and I want to be as good as they are.
"At the beginning it was kind of weird for everyone. (The guys) thought it wasn't fair. Now they're used to it. I'm working hard to be out there. If I feel like I don't belong there, I'm not going to compete against them," said da Silva.
After spending her Fourth of July in paradise, da Silva returns to the task of finishing the ASA tour with a bang. She plans to compete in the 2002 X-Games in Philadelphia from Aug. 15 to 19, as well as the ASA World Championships in October. Other trips and demonstrations will fill the time between contests. For now, da Silva's hectic lifestyle places her exactly where she wants to be.
"I just see myself for a while skating and just enjoying my life. I don't know what I'm going to do when I'm done skating ... maybe in the future go to school or do some other things.
"But for sure I'll be involved in sports," she said.
"Action Sports & Music Festival" features Mat Hoffman, Fabiola Da Silva, Eito Yasutoko, Takeshi Yasutoko, Cesar Mora, Shane Yost, Chris Gentry, Tas Pappas, Sergie Ventura and many more athletes: Blazin' Circus
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today through Saturday
Where: Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall
Tickets: $15 general, $10 for keiki 9 and under (special price good until 4 p.m. only), available at the Blaisdell box office or Ticket Plus, by calling 526-4400. In addition, today is SOBE Day. Bring a SOBE proof of purchase for $2 off general admission. Show your TheBus pass tomorrow for $2 off general admission. And on Saturday bring a Kona Cafe proof of purchase for $2 off general admission.
Call: 526-4400
Web: www.blazincircus.com
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Here comes the circus
In order to maintain a high energy, circus-like atmosphere at this weekend's action sports and music festival, event organizers have added attractions like an auto and sound expo, a mixed martial arts competition, an Asian model search with more than $10,000 in prizes and an entertainment stage featuring a number of local music acts. Good thing the sports demonstrations take place every hour; with so much going on, the Blazin Circus can provide a full day of entertainment if you decide to take in everything that's offered. Maybe even longer if you decide to spend time in the beer garden. Here's a rundown of things happening at the Blazin Circus:
Today
Noon: ASA Aggressive Inline World Champions with Fabiola Da Silva, Yasutoko Brothers.
12:30 p.m.: Darrel Labrado performs.
1 p.m.: GrindCo Xtreme Skateboard & BMX Pro Team with Mat Hoffman; repeats at 3, 5 and 7 p.m.
1:30 p.m.: Tani Lynn performs.
2 p.m.: ASA Aggressive Inline World Champions with Fabiola Da Silva, Yasutoko Brothers; repeats at 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
2:30 p.m.: Hookani performs.
4:30 p.m.: Mr. Vanray performs.
6:30 p.m.: "Say Yes! Karaoke with MTV's Dave Holmes.
7:30 p.m.: Natural Vibrations performs.
Also: Titan Motorsports Street FX import car show, Strike Fighting Championships,free collector's edition Mat Hoffman color poster, the first 500 paid children admissions receive a free mini skateboard from Tech Deck, and random tokens will be given out for free autographs from the world champion athletes!
Tomorrow
Noon: GrindCo Xtreme Skateboard & BMX Pro Team with Mat Hoffman; repeats at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
12:30 p.m.: Koa'uka performs.
1 p.m.: ASA Aggressive Inline World Champions with Fabiola Da Silva, Yasutoko Brothers, and others; repeats at 3, 5 and 7 p.m.
2:30 p.m.: Forte performs.
3:30 p.m.: Marty Dread performs.
5:30 p.m.: B.E.T. performs.
7:30 p.m.: 3 Plus performs.
Also: Titan Motorsports Street FX import car show, Strike Fighting Championships and first 500 paid children admissions receive a free mini skateboard from Tech Deck.
Saturday
All day: Titan Motorsports Street FX import car show.
Noon: ASA Aggressive Inline World Champions with Fabiola Da Silva, Yasutoko Brothers, and others; repeats at 2, 4 and 6 p.m.
12:30 p.m.: Ells with Ilona Irvine & Mr. Vanray perform.
1 p.m.: GrindCo Xtreme Skateboard & BMX Pro Team with Mat Hoffman; repeats at 3, 5 and 7 p.m.
2:30 p.m.: Disguyz performs.
3:30 p.m.: Tino & The Rhythm Klub performs.
5:30 p.m.: "Say Yes! Karaoke semi-finals with MTV's Dave Holmes, with finals at 6:30 p.m.
7 p.m.: Asian model search.
7:30 p.m.: Ho'onua performs.
Also: Titan Motorsports Street FX import car show and free poster of Playboy Playmate Jen Walcott awaits for first 1,000 paid admissions.
Click for online
calendars and events.
