Another local sports landmark came into existence, with the opening on Thursday of the Jiangwan skatepark.

Neal Hendrix from the United States showcases his skateboarding skills during the two-day SMP Shanghai Showdown at the newly opened Jiangwan skatepark yesterday.

The 12,000-square-meter complex of concrete bowls, banks, hips and rails is the world's biggest skatepark and a playground for local extreme sport buffs.

But 40 international X-sports gurus took center stage at the opening. They included the multi-world champion skater Yasutoko brothers, who showcased their flips and flies at the SMP Shanghai Showdown, an exhibition tournament on Thursday and yesterday. SMP is the company licensed to run the park.

Skateboarding, inline skating, BMX and FMX biking, backed by live bands and motorbike stunts entertained an audience of 10,000.

The 100 million yuan (US$12.35 million) park was originally intended as part of the New Jiangwan City, a residential township in the city's northeast fringe.

But smp hopes to achieve something bigger. "We will hold international extreme sports here, including the Shanghai Showdown which will stay for the next five years," said Dai Wenqing, an official with SMP.

(Shanghai Daily October 8, 2005)