At the World Finals of Red Bull Street Style 2008, Arnaud ‘Séan’ Garnier from France took on the best freestyle footballers on the planet and won. Now he’s looking to repeat the feat.
Since his triumph in Brazil, Séan has jetted around the globe performing at freestyle demos and competitions in all four corners of the world. With the national qualification tournaments for Red Bull Street Style 2010 almost completed, he took time out of his busy schedule to tell us about new styles, the development of freestyle football and why he will be the man to beat at the 2010 World Finals in Cape Town.
Has winning the last Red Bull Street Style World Finals in São Paulo changed your life?
My life has changed because now all the people recognise me in the street in France and all over the world. Now I’ll try to win a second time.
Since becoming Red Bull Street Style champ, you have had the chance to perform in many countries. In your opinion, which country has the highest standard of freestyle skills?
For me, the best country is France because all the freestylers have style, but Poland is good, the Netherlands good – and Japanese guys are really good.
You received your trophy from Edgar Davids in 2008. What impact do you think his role in Red Bull Street Style has had on the freestyle football community in general?
Edgar Davids is the best ambassador for Red Bull Street Style because a lot of
people know about freestyle through the publicity he has generated. He has tried to develop the freestyle scene and I think that is good for the young people.
'The most important thing is the relationship between me and the audience'
Is there any camaraderie between freestylers, or is the competition as tough as in other sports?
I think freestyle is now one big family because all of the freestylers know each other, but as far as the competition goes I think it will now become more like football or basketball.
Two years is a long time in sport. Do you think the standards will be higher in South Africa than last time in Brazil?
I think the level will be higher because there is the internet with lots of videos – we can watch new videos and new tricks every day. That means we can also copy new tricks, but I think the winner of the competition will be the guy with a new style – I have a new trick up my sleeve, but I’m keeping it for 2010!
Do you have a particular routine when you prepare for a battle or any superstitions?
The most important thing I want to establish first is the relationship between me and the audience: it is really important for me to capture the audience’s attention and see if they like my show, the music – it’s really important to be in time with the rhythm. Those are the little things I want.
So, one last question: who will win Red Bull Street Style 2010?
I think I will win again…
To read more about Séan and the other freestylers preparing for the World Finals on April 28, 2010, go to redbullstreetstyle.com
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