Skateboarding legend breaks new ground

Skateboarding pioneer Tony Hawk has yet again broken new ground in the sport, becoming the first person to ride a “horizontal loop” in a jaw-dropping new video clip.

In the video released by electronics giant Sony to promote their action sports camera, Hawk skates around a purpose-built spiral ramp horizontally - a feat the company claims is a world first.

Hawk, 47, attempts the gravity-defying trick with safety mats in place at first, taking a few tumbles on the way.

One of his first attempts without crash mats ended painfully, with the skater shown lying prone on the floor after he hammered into a wall.

Hawk is credited with revolutionising vert skateboarding in the 1980s and 90s, and has since launched an empire which includes a popular video game franchise, rollercoasters and media production.

He also founded the Tony Hawk Foundation, which helps fund skate parks in low income areas across the US.