Thrasher Skater of the Year: the complete winners list

Thrasher Journal’s Skater of the 12 months (SOTY) is without doubt one of the most prestigious awards in skateboarding.

It is “the one,” the primary, and probably the most revered trophy.

SOTY can also be a advertising marketing campaign that has helped preserve Thrasher Magazine afloat whereas others struggled or closed their doorways.

Each finish of the yr, the legendary skateboard journal highlights the efficiency of the game’s most prolific rider.

Profitable the Skater of the 12 months trophy may very well be a life-changing second in a skater’s profession, leading to extra media protection, extra sponsors and, in the end, extra earnings.

The publication, based by Eric Swenson and Fausto Vitello in January 1981, debuted SOTY in 1990.

The choice course of begins with the announcement of the contenders.

After the preliminary nominations record, all journal readers and skateboarding followers are invited to solid their votes on-line.

When the voting course of is full, the editors of Thrasher announce the Skater of the 12 months recipient.

It is not clear how the followers’ votes affect the editorial choice, however they do no play a vital position within the final choice.

Thrasher’s first Skater of the 12 months was the one and solely Tony Hawk.

SOTY Standards

The standards for selecting the finalists contain the riders’ participation in video components, particular tasks, and death-defying stunts, in addition to trick improvements and enter from different skilled skaters.

The variables are versatile and subjective and in addition embody horrendous face-plants, signature motion pictures, journal covers, occasion appearances, excellent contributions to the skate business, and even intestine intuition.

Though there aren’t any written guidelines or suggestions for claiming the award, the entire record of Skater of the 12 months recipients breathes coherence and speaks for itself.

There has at all times been lobbying from advertisers, manufacturers, skate retailers, firms, and even athletes themselves as a result of there’s rather a lot at stake.

However in the long run, the SOTY is at all times somebody who stood above his friends – a seasoned veteran, an up-and-coming expertise, or a fearless younger gun.

The award acknowledges the skater who displayed extraordinary expertise, dedication, dedication, spirit, and willpower to the game, whether or not by reaching aggressive success or pushing the boundaries of skateboarding.

Solely two riders received SOTY twice – Danny Means (1991 and 2004) and Chris Cole (2005 and 2009).

By no means has a feminine skateboarder received the Skater of the 12 months.

Thrasher Journal’s Skater of the 12 months | Award Winners

1990: Tony Hawk (USA)
1991: Danny Means (USA)
1992: John Cardiel (USA)
1993: Salman Agah (USA)
1994: Mike Carroll (USA)
1995: Chris Senn (USA)
1996: Eric Koston (THA)
1997: Bob Burnquist (BRA)
1998: Andrew Reynolds (USA)
1999: Brian Anderson (USA)
2000: Geoff Rowley (ENG)
2001: Arto Saari (FIN)
2002: Tony Trujillo (USA)
2003: Mark Appleyard (CAN)
2004: Danny Means (USA)
2005: Chris Cole (USA)
2006: Daewon Music (KOR)
2007: Marc Johnson (USA)
2008: Silas Baxter-Neal (USA)
2009: Chris Cole (USA)
2010: Leo Romero (USA)
2011: Grant Taylor (USA)
2012: David Gonzalez (COL)
2013: Ishod Wair (USA)
2014: Wes Kremer (USA)
2015: Anthony Van Engelen (USA)
2016: Kyle Walker (USA)
2017: Jamie Foy (USA)
2018: Tyshawn Jones (USA)
2019: Milton Martinez (ARG)
2020: Mason Silva (USA)