KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -
Where in Kansas City can a person find guys grinding the rails or sliding the hubbas this weekend? If these words actually mean something, then it's probably known they can all be found at the Sprint Center as the Street League Skateboarding tour is in town.
A Kansas City native is already stealing the show.
He's one of the fastest growing young stars in one of the fastest growing young sports.
"I started boarding at 10," Sean Malto said.
At just 22 years old, Malto has already made his name on the Street League Skateboarding tour, winning last year's pro tour championship.
It's success that hasn't gone to his head.
"All I've really done was ride a skateboard and the stuff after that, actually I have no idea how it happened," Malto said with a laugh.
He was grinding boards at parks all over Kansas City as a kid both legally and not so legally.
"It kind of sucks because all the places that are illegal are the best places to skate," he said.
But no matter how big Malto gets, Kansas City will always be his home.
And Malto is no overnight success. His years of skateboarding and dedication to the sport have earned him a ton of respect with his competition.
"It's always been apparent that he was going to be somebody special in the way that he skates and he just has that appeal on the board and off the board," said Chris Cole, a fellow pro-skateboarder.
After winning the $200,000 prize last year, you know what's on his mind in 2012.
"That's the plan - every contest. You want to come confident and just feel good on your skateboard. These guys are the best in the world - we'll see what happens," Malto said.
Qualifying for the KC stop begins Friday. The finals will be live on ESPN2 Saturday night.
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