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Tom Schaar Q&A: Defending his X Games title, handling fame, more

Tom Schaar and Bob Burnquist put on quite a show in the 2014 Skateboard Big Air Final. Schaar, just 14 years old at the time, won the gold, beating five-time defending Big Air champ Bob Burnquist buy one point, 88–87. The teenage Big Air specialist insists that luck and a mindset centered on having fun were his keys to success last year, but title defense is a monster that young Schaar is meeting for the first time this weekend.

Tom Schaar and Bob Burnquist put on quite a show in the 2014 Skateboard Big Air Final. Schaar, just 14 years old at the time, won the gold, beating five-time defending Big Air champ Bob Burnquist buy one point, 88–87. The teenage Big Air specialist insists that luck and a mindset centered on having fun were his keys to success last year, but title defense is a monster that young Schaar is meeting for the first time this weekend.

To prevail this time around, Schaar may need the 1080 that made him famous in the skateboarding world. Schaar landed the first ever 1080 in X Games in 2012, but is weary about breaking it out this weekend. He talked with SI.com about those plans, his idols in the skateboarding world and more.

SI.com: What have been some of your favorite locations at X Games?

Tom Schaar: Some of my favorite locations at X Games were the stops on the international tour [in 2013], Munich and Barcelona. Beyond the skating, it was awesome just to be a tourist and check out the cities.

You’ve found much more success in Big Air than Vert. What’s the difference in those competitions for you personally?

Highlight History: Going back in time at the Summer X Games

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A beautiful view of the Moto X Freestyle competition during the X Games at Pier 30 and 32 in San Francisco, California.

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Achim Kujawski in action during the BMX vert competition at the 2001 X Games at First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Roman Hackl busts out some moves during the Men's Skateboard Park Final's at the 2001 Summer X Games at the First Union Complex in Philadelphia, PA on 20 August 2001.

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Chad Bartie takes a breather before the start of the Men's Skateboard Park final at the 2001 Summer X Games at Philadelphia's First Union Complex 20 April 2001.

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Roman Hackl warms up before the start of the Men's Skateboard Park Final's during the 2001 Summer X Games at the First Union Complex in Philadelphia, PA, 20 August 2001.

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Bob Burnquist relaxes during the filming of a scene for a commercial for X Games 9 at the Playboy Mansion on May 6, 2003 in Holmby Hills, California.

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Paul Rodriguez, Eric Koston and Rodil de Araujo, Jr. pose for photographers during the awards ceremony at the X Games 9 Skateboard Street contest held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

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Stephen Murray catches air at the X Games 9 Bike Stunt Dirt contest held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

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Tony Hawk attempts to land his jump in the Skateboard Big Air competition during the X Games 11 on August 5, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

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Danny Way drops into the ramp during the Skateboard Big Air competition during X Games 11 on August 6, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

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Ryan Guettler competes during the Bike Stunt Park competition at X Games 11 on August 7, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

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Travis Pastrana competes for gold in the Moto X Speed and Style Final during X Games 16 at Staples Center on August 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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Travis Pastrana competes during the Rally Car event at X Games 16 on July 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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Ryan Sheckler competes at the Skate Street event during X Games 16 on July 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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Bucky Lasek competes in the Skateboard Park Final during X Games 16 at the Event Deck LA Live on August 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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Dave Mirra races during the Speed and Style event at X Games 16 on July 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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Moto Best Trick participant Travis Pastrana at X Games 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on August 4, 2005.

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Travis Pastrana during the Moto X Best Trick contest at X Games 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on August 4, 2005.

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Silver Medalist Shaun White at the ESPN X Games 11 during the Men's Skateboard Vert Finals on Friday, August 5, 2005.

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Kenny Bartram perfroms a trick during the Moto X Freestyle final at X Games Eleven on August 6, 2005 at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, California.

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Andy Macdonald performs a trick in the Skateboard Big Air competition during X Games 11 on August 7, 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

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Men's Skateboard Vert silver medalist Bob Burnquist in action during X Games 12.

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A look at the view of the Snow Ramp during the ESPN X Games on June 27, 1998 in San Diego, California.

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Gold medalist Travis Pastrana during Freestyle Moto X finals at X Games 12 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on August 6, 2006.

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Ryan Sheckler competes in the qualifying round in Skateboard Street at X Games 14.

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Omar Hassan practices in the Skateboard Superpark during X Games 14 at Home Depot Center on July 31, 2008 in Carson, California.

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A competitor participates in the BMX Freestyle Street final during X Games 14 on July 31, 2008 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

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Bob Burnquist reacts after a successful run during the Skateboard Big Air Final at the 14th Summer X Games on July 31, 2008 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

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Simon Tabron practices in the BMX Freestyle Vert during X Games 14 at Home Depot Center on August 1, 2008 in Carson, California.

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Lyn-z Adams Hawkins competes in the Women's Skateboard Vert final during X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center on July 30, 2009 in Carson, California.

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Garrett Reynolds competes in the BMX Freestyle Street event during X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

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Gaby Ponce competes in the Women's Skateboard Vert final during X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center on July 30, 2009 in Carson, California.

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Bob Burnquist competes in Skateboard Big Air at the Staples Center on July 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

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Robbie Maddison gets some serious air during the Moto X Freestyle at X Games 15 at Home Depot Center on July 31, 2009 in Carson, California.

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Travis Pastrana takes part in the Moto X Best Trick as part of Summer X Games 15 at Staples Center on July 31, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

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Paul Rodriguez looks to land a trick in the Men's Skateboard Street finals at Summer X Games 15 at Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

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Jamie Bestwick competes in BMX Vert at Summer X Games 15 at Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

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Rob Lorifice competes in the Men's Skateboard Vert event during X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

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Nyjah Houston competes in the Men's Skateboard Street finals at Summer X Games 15 at Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

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Mat Rebeaud busts out some crazy moves in the FMX Freestyle finals during X Games 16 on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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Ashley Fiolek wins gold in Women's Moto X during X Games 16 on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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Competitors start in the Moto X Super X event during X Games 16 at the LA Coliseum on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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Jake Brown competes to a gold medal in the Skateboard Big Air final during X Games 16 at the LA Coliseum on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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Levi Sherwood does a stunt during the Moto X Freestyle final at the LA Coliseum during X Games 16 on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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Daniel Dhers surprises fans as he competes for a gold medal in the BMX Freestyle Park final during X Games 16 at the Event Deck LA Live on July 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

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The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

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The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

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The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

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The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

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The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

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The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

10387781_254976974704369_931604790_n.jpg

The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

10424355_1415671115382359_573371402_n.jpg

The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

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The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

10432064_1442795245978754_2112384310_n.jpg

The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

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The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

​TS: I don’t practice vert nearly as much as I do [on the mega ramp]. Vert is really fun, but I kind of get bored of it; it’s just back and forth. It’s safer that way, to learn tricks on vert and then take them to other places, but I like to focus more of my energy on big air. I can do way more with any one trick on the mega ramp, and that’s what I prefer.

You said that you don’t plan to break out the 1080 at X Games. Are you sticking to that?

TS: If I’m really in need of a big trick for a massive score, it’s there to be pulled out. But I don’t know. It’s been awhile since I’ve landed that in competition. I don’t even know if it’d be there for me in one try. But I would give it a shot if it were all or nothing.

What’s it like playing the role of both high school student and professional skateboarder?

TS: They are totally opposite worlds. When I’m skating, I’m not thinking about studying or homework. I’m just riding and having fun. The weirdest thing about it is probably that I have two separate sets of friends, my school friends and pro skater friends. Can’t say which I prefer, but the skateboarding definitely helps at school as well.

Who do you look up to in the skateboarding world?

TS: The guys at X Games that I look up to are Bucky Lasek and Bob Burnquist. I’ve grown up with them, and they’ve taught me things that I need to know. Not just things about skating, but publicity wise, how to handle all that. It’s awesome that I get to ride with them and compete against them. It’s still a little weird.

What did they teach you about title defense?

TS: They haven’t taught me anything about title defense. I didn’t ask. I’m just going to go out and have fun. That’s pretty much how I won last year.

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