Cape Town - A popular skateboarder from Athlone has been lauded for his contribution to the sport after being acknowledged in the 2024 Guinness World Book of Records and bagging his 10th international title.
Speaking to the shortly after competing in the FISE Street Open Championships in Tignes, France, Jean-marc Johannes said he is finally living his dream after obtaining the silver medal at the professional championship.
His passion for skateboarding started 22 years ago when he tried out various sports at school, but failed to make any teams.
At just 11 years old, he entered a competition in Claremont and won.
He has been competing professionally ever since and at just 15 years old, he was rated among the top 10 skateboarders in South Africa.
Johannes was awarded his first international title in 2015 when he competed in the FISE/Shrick Video Series Contest and took the top spot.
Several years later, the 33-year-old from Penlyn Estate set out to achieve his dreams of becoming a professional skateboarder. He made headlines in 2019 when he bagged his second victory, breaking a Guinness World Record for the second time in just two years, when he was recorded as completing 18 nollie heelflips in just 50 seconds.
The nollie heelflip is a trick where the skateboarder flips the board entirely using their less dominant foot and lands back on the board with both feet.
A year later he broke another record when he claimed his fourth victory by achieving 21 nollies in just 30 seconds and kicking American skateboarder Ivan Sebastian Cordova off the top spot.
At the time, Cordova held the record for more than 10 years with 15 nollies in just 30 seconds, while Johannes achieved 21.
This week, Johannes shared that his achievements were entered into the 2024 Guinness World Book of Records. In the publication, he is lauded for all the records he has broken with a series of skateboard tricks over the years.
Speaking of his recent competition in France, Johannes said: “This officially marks the 10th International podium I have made for South African Skateboarding, and the most international skateboarding medals won in the history of our sport in our country.”
Johannes has obtained a diploma in sports management and is currently completing a Bachelor of Commerce Degree. He also recently wed his high school sweetheart, Roxanne.
“I recently got married and I don't have kids yet. I always said I want to be a professional skateboarder as a career, and not just a hobby or a sport. I said it in 2019 and have worked hard to achieve this. For me, it is important to place South African skateboarders on the map, and my goal now is to work hard to represent my country in the next Olympics.”
