Career Players-A Cool Generation

　　目前，在北京、上海、广州、湖州等大小城市渐渐形成了一些以游乐竞技为生活主体的年轻族群，这些带着"强调自我、享受生命、勇于挑战"的冲动和敏感追求新意识的都市新生代，被人们称为"玩家"。 他们自称新兴的极限势力，反传统的一代，潮流的始作俑者。 　　Many youth groups have recently emerged in several Chinese cities - including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Huzhou- to support their members‘ quests to have careers in entertainment and/or sports. While this new generation of Chinese is self-centered and driven to enjoy life, the groups‘ members are more sensitive than past generations - and they are trendy. The groups‘ members have been labeled as "career players." While they believe they are good, young men, many elderly people don‘t approve of their cavalier attitudes. 　　 　　In real life, career players are most passionate about high-scoring street sports; on the Internet, they cling madly to games that involve fighting and self-realization. The hip-hop culture, which features impromptu performances, is infecting these young people; skateboarding, in-line skating and riding stunt bicycles are their favorite activities. 　　At 9 pm each night, in front of the Catholic Church on Beijing‘s Wangfujing Street, with streetlights and neon signs as their spotlights, dozens of Chinese young people perform various thrilling stunts on their skateboards and/or bicycles. Onlookers make room for these teens. These mavericks often gather-for entertainment and training - at Beijing‘s major squares. 　　"The scene somewhat reminds me of my childhood. We had games such as throwing earthbags, playing hide-and-seek, rubber band skipping, hopscotch and kicking shuttlecocks. Now, those scenes are replayed in my mind," Ye Zi, a young woman, said recently as she watched the teens perform their stunts. 　　Games such as hide-and-seek are long passe. Computer games, skateboarding, in-line skating, performing bicycle stunts or bicycle motor cross (BMX), rock-climbing, drifting and bungee jumping-the expensive, modern toys - set a new limit for youth activities. Many youngsters born in the 1980s have been lured to these activities. Light-hearted teens follow their passions - like addictions. 　　 　　Xiao Yao: Addicted to Skateboarding 　　萧遥: 被那种飞起来的感觉牵着, 无法放弃 　　 　　Xiao Yao is a master skateboarder. Apart from competitions, he has been featured in commercials and TV programs. Xiao began his skateboarding career in 1993; his first skateboard had been a gift from his parents. "Skateboarding is really addictive. It‘s wooden heroin. Many guys can‘t live without it, even for a few days. I love the feeling of flying that the sport gives. I have tried to give it up many times, but I‘ve failed. If not for skateboarding, I could have become a computer designer or an auto salesman. But I don‘t regret my choice." 　　As a semi-professional player, Xiao Yao began competing four years ago. He last competed in the world itinerant contest in Asia. During the contests, players perform freestyle routines -- even the serious competitions can‘t diminish the games‘ light-hearted spirit. Following the closing ceremony of "Anta China National Extreme Sports Meeting" in Beijing, a similar event was beginning in Huzhou, the Chinese home of extreme sports. 　　Extreme sports have taken root in China. 　　It is a challenge to devote oneself to such games, and to become a career player. Said Xiao: "The gap between extreme sports in China and the West is about 20 years. An overseas player can stride 30 steps, 20 steps more than a Chinese player can. One way to narrow the gap is to exercise more. I‘ll keep on playing, until I‘m too old." 　 　　 　　Jiang Xiaobin: The Game is For Brave, Passionate Men 　　蒋晓彬：滑板是勇敢、激情者的游戏 　　 　　"The breathtaking body aerial, or turning the body in the air; magical Ollie, or jumping with both feet on the skateboard; catch my eyeball; and the movements, rhythm and music make me feel good. Whether a player succeeds or fails in a performance, the music always make him/her crazy," says Jiang Xiaobin, an avid skateboarder and member of Shanghai‘s FLY team. 　　"I like the culture. Skateboarding is a game for brave and passionate men. The game gives me a sense of joy, and of self-control. It‘s not only thrilling, but also liberating. The loose trousers, colored hair, nose ornaments, earrings and other people‘s glances are attractive. People may consider us "perverts," but my teachers liked me and I offer my bus seats to the elderly. I never forget to nurture and improve myself," says Jiang. 　　 　　Ma Ziqi-A Young BMX Fan 　　马紫祺：特技单车迷 　　 　　BMX players are generally much younger than skateboarders. Ma Ziqi, 17, has been riding BMX bikes for three years. He performs the most difficult stunt, street style, and he receives financial aid from an automobile-fan‘s club. 　　"This kind of sport was shown on TV in the mid-1990s, and I became hooked on it. Just like football fans, we play with bikes because we‘re fond of them," says Ma. 　　 　　Out of love for the sport, the teens push their bodies to the limit. Most have scars to prove their devotion. Yet, they refuse to stop performing. 　　US youth are credited with creating extreme sports - in the 1970s. Due to the expensive facilities required for these sports, they have been limited to the streets of China‘s cities. "It costs me 1,500 to 2,500 yuan each month, as the skateboards and shoes quickly wear out," says Xiao. A quality BMX bike costs about 5,000 yuan. 　　About 200 Beijingers are currently involved in competitive skateboarding or stunt cycling. The famous "Cavalry Corps" has its own professional club in the Shijingshan District. These young men are the leaders of extreme sports in China - and Asia.（Executive Editor: QING FENG责任编辑：清风） 　　 　　 Career Players-A Cool Generation 吴　珊