Christian Hosoi

Hosoi along with co-author Chris Ahrens released his autobiography book Hosoi: My Life as a Skateboarder Junkie Inmate Pastor in 2012 that chronicles his life story and testimony of finding redemption and purpose after reading the Bible and becoming a pastor.

Hosoi joined forces with Jay Haizlip, Brian Sumner, and others to create The Uprising, a skate-based ministry. In 2008, The Uprising was documented by Steelroots, a Christian youth television network, and made into a reality television show. The first season comprised eight episodes and followed the ministry around California and England.

Hosoi was the subject of the 2006 documentary film, Rising Son, that detailed his initial success, drug addiction, and conversion to Christianity.

Hosoi was finally captured in January 2000 at the Honolulu airport. He was apprehended while attempting to transport nearly 1.5 lb (0.68 kg) of crystal methamphetamine from Los Angeles to Honolulu. He was charged with trafficking with the intent to distribute. He was sentenced to ten years' incarceration, of which he served four and was released from the San Bernardino Central Detention Center in June 2004.

In 1995, Hosoi was arrested on two minor offences, and a warrant for his arrest was issued for failing to appear in court. To avoid arrest, Hosoi stopped attending competitions and demos, including declining an invitation to the first X Games (then the Extreme Games), which was going to be marketed as a renewed rivalry between Hawk and Hosoi.

Hosoi's pro career began to falter as a recession hit the US in the early 1990s and the new street skating stars began to overshadow vertical riders in media coverage. Hosoi faced bankruptcy after financial difficulties with a series of failed skateboard companies like Tuff Sk8s, Sk8 Kultur, Milk, and Focus, in addition to a growing addiction to drugs.

When street skating began to emerge in the mid-to-late '80s, Hosoi showed talent there, winning both the vert and street contests at the Lotte Cup contest in Japan in 1989.

Hosoi invented the Christ Air and Rocket Air. In 1984 he formed his own company, Hosoi Skates, first distributed through Skull Skates, then through NHS-INC.

Hosoi started skating at seven or eight years old with veterans such as Shogo Kubo, Tony Alva, Stacy Peralta, and Jay Adams as his idols. His father, Ivan "Pops" Hosoi became the manager of the Marina Del Rey Skatepark, and Christian quit school and spent his time there where he developed his skill. In 1979, as an amateur, Hosoi was sponsored by Powell Peralta. He left Powell Peralta a year later when they would not allow him to turn professional and joined Dogtown Skateboards. Shortly thereafter, Dogtown went out of business. Christian turned pro at the age of 14 with Sims Skateboards.

Christian Rosha Hosoi (/h oʊ ˈ s ɔɪ / hoh-SOY ; born October 5, 1967) is an American professional skateboarder. He is also known by the nicknames "Christ" and "Holmes".

Hosoi was born on October 5, 1967 to a father of Japanese descent from Hawaii, and his mother is Caucasian. He grew up in Los Angeles and Hawaii.