Despite Birth Condition That Left Him Limbless Skateboarding Enthusiast Defies Expectation to Join the Ranks of Tony Hawk

When dreams and determination combine, a person becomes unstoppable. While congenital issues and disabilities hamper people’s daily lives, they can’t stop them. The story of this skateboarding star falls along these lines. While he faced certain issues from birth, he made sure to make golden use of everything he had. Pushing his skateboard and landing insane tricks has now become the norm for this adaptive skateboarder.

Oscar Loreto Jr. is a resident of Los Angeles and loves skateboarding. While a congenital issue held him back for several years, the fire in him didn’t go out. Today, Loreto has become a nationally recognized skateboarding artist who also gives back to society and the community. In fact, Loreto now stands on equal footing as the legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk.

The newest skateboarding pioneer

Oscar Loreto Jr. wasn’t always into skateboarding. In fact, if one were to ask him in his teenage years if he would ride a skateboard, he would have just laughed and walked away. However, today, Loreto zooms past on his skateboard in style. The 37-year-old was born without a left foot, a left hand, and four fingers on his right hand. This resulted from a congenital issue, due to which Loreto had to depend on prosthetic limbs. However, he refused to let his condition slow him down. Loreto had an epiphany while he was a child that he could take on any road with his skateboard, no matter how bumpy it was. He has now become an eminent adaptive skateboarder.

Today, the 37-year-old competes in all the major skateboarding competitions, including the X Games. According to Spectrum News1, the Smithsonian’s collection has, in fact, decided to preserve his shoes and board with them. This honor is only given to the greatest skateboarders like Tony Hawk, which places him on a similar pedestal.

Giving away wheels and freedom

Loreto shared that he used to be picked last in every physical education class. He didn’t want to be looked at as a leftover and wished to soar higher. Today, he has inspired several people with disabilities to pursue skateboarding. Speaking about his journey and success, Loreto said, “I’m the first adaptive Latino pro skateboarder, and that’s cool to say.” While he follows his passion, Loreto has also become a fine advocate. 

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He is a member of the Board of USA Skateboarding and the Sheckler Foundation. The foundation launched a skateboard in collaboration with Sandlot Times in the name of Loreto, which got instantly sold out. The young adaptive skateboarders learning from Loreto need more support and exposure to become professionals. He is currently trying to make this a possibility and is trying to find more sponsors, contestants, and fans for his young pupils to become pros. 

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