Biography of X Games Athlete Mat Hoffman

Mat Hoffman was born on January 9, 1972 in Edmond, Oklahoma. He is arguably the best vert ramp BMX rider of all-time. Mat Hoffman was one of the originators of the 900 and backflip for BMX vert competitions.

At the 2002 Summer X Games, Mat Hoffman landed the best trick he ever landed, the no-handed 900. It was the first time that the trick had ever been successfully landed by any rider. No other rider has successfully landed the no-handed 900 since Mat did at the X Games either.

Mat Hoffman earned the nickname "The Condor." He is the owner of his own biking company, Hoffman Bikes, which he runs near his home in Oklahoma.

Mat Hoffman broke onto the BMX scene in 1985 when he was only thirteen years old. Three years later, at the age of sixteen, he became the youngest professional bike rider in his sport's history.

Over his long biking career, Mat Hoffman has been the inventor on the BMX circuit. He is responsible for over one hundred different bike tricks. Some of the tricks he is responsible for creating are the 900, the Flair, and the Flip Fakie. The Flair is a backflip with a 180 degree turn. A Flip Fakie is a backflip where the rider also lands backwards on the ramp.

Mat Hoffman is also considered to be responsible for pushing the sport of BMX competition. After breaking countless bikes trying out new tricks, Mat Hoffman began making his own bikes. Soon after, his company, Hoffman Bikes, began making bikes for many riders.

Mat Hoffman is also the founder of the Bicycle Stunt Series where all of the top riders can display their new tricks and the perfection of old ones. Mat and his company, Hoffman Promotions, worked a deal with ESPN to produce and televise the event.

Not only has Mat Hoffman won many X Games medals, but his company is now responsible for organizing the Freestyle BMX portion of the X Games.

He has also been the star in his own video games, "Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX" and "Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2." In 2002, his autobiography "The Ride of My Life" was also released.

Along with being the most innovative rider of his time, Mat Hoffman may also be the most frequently injured. He almost died during an accident in which he ruptured his spleen. He has also had ligaments in his knee replaced and countless broken bones.

One of Mat's favorite biking moments is from 2001 when he set the world record for "highest air." He traveled 50.6 feet above the ground off of a 24-foot quarter pipe in front of photographers and a television crew.