By Colleen Kane
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Eito and Takeshi Yasutoko were drawing oohs and aahs from the Sawyer Point crowd even before the professional in-line vert competition began Saturday.

Once the practice round was up, the brothers from Japan were nearly unstoppable.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Saturday's action

Eito followed a dominating first-run score of 94.5 points with an even better 96.0 second run to win the gold medal, showcasing such moves as a 1080 California roll, a double back flip 180 and a double-flat spin. Younger brother Takeshi was close behind in second with 93.75 points, despite falling near the end of his second run. Shane Yost, of Tasmania, was third with 89.50 points.

"This was my first competition this year, and my condition was good definitely," Eito said. "Sometimes I feel pressure or feel nervous in competition, but this time I didn't. I was so excited for competition."

The Yasutokos have become crowd favorites in Cincinnati. Besides showing off some of the highest and biggest tricks, they have dominated the vert competition here the past three years. Takeshi took first in 2002 and fourth in 2003. Eito was second in 2002 and won last year.

"In Cincinnati last year, I made friends of so many fans, there was so much energy for me (this year)," Eito said.

Eito's win last year, when he became the first skater to land a double-flat spin 180 in competition, started a streak in which he went undefeated in all of 2003. He won the X Games, the Gravity Games and the LG Action Sports Championships last year. The only competition he has lost since is the Asian X Games in February. Takeshi won that one.

Sitting securely at the top of the in-line skating world will help Eito experiment more with his skating this year, he said. He was at Woodward West trying out new tricks with Yost last weekend before coming to Cincinnati.

"I don't care for rankings this year," Eito said. "Last year I was a safety skater... I saved myself for my rankings. I was scared. Now, I can try more challenges. I can do more."