From schoolyard dreams to world glory

IN A WHIRLWIND of gravity-defying feats and unwavering determination, Jean-marc Johannes has etched his name into the annals of South African sporting history.

- SAMEER NAIK

Not just a skateboarder, but a trailblazer, Johannes has shattered expectations and rewritten the narrative of what's possible, culminating in a string of accolades that would make even the most seasoned athlete's head spin.

"Initially I set a goal for myself to win just one international event, and this took place in 2016 when I won the first SA skateboarding Gold at the FISE World Series Am in China," Johannes tells Independent Media.

"This goal, at the time, seemed impossible, but I was willing to work for it to make it a reality, and when it happened it changed my perspective on the goals I was going to set for the future." That "dream come true" has multiplied tenfold, as the Cape Town-born skateboarder recently secured his tenth international skateboarding medal in the World Series, a feat that not only cements his personal triumph but also ignites a beacon of hope for South African skateboarding.

"For South African skateboarding, I hope to be instrumental in helping others achieve their dreams and to be part of assisting international platforms to incorporate South African skateboarding into future plans," he says. But the accolades don't stop there.

In 2024, Johannes achieved a childhood dream, becoming the first South African skateboarder inducted into the Guinness World Records.

"Being inducted into the World records history book for the first time was my childhood dream come true," he reveals.