Kimberley’s Brad Balie claimed fourth place on the international stage at the grand final of the ninth KARDO International Street Culture and Sports Competition.

The professional skateboarder competed against some of the best riders from around the world from 16 to 20 September in Vladivostok, Russia.

Balie’s Russian adventure came after he took top honours at the inaugural KARDO event in South Africa.

That event took place in August in Kimberley through a partnership between the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Kimberley Diamond Cup (KDC).

The KDC has established the Northern Cape as a global skateboarding hub.

KARDO is the world’s first and only international competition and award dedicated to the development and support of street culture and sports.

Established in Russia in 2018, it attracts participants and athletes from all over the world through online qualifiers, national stages, and grand finals.

The 13 disciplines are open to competitors aged 14 and over.

The competition’s key disciplines include skateboarding, BMX, parkour, free running, workout, tricking, kick scootering, hip-hop dance, breaking, DJing, rap, graffiti, and expressions of street fashion.

Also taking part on the international stage in Russia were Kimberley’s Ashley Vos in DJing, and Kimberley-born Casey Hendricks in graffiti.

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