Mike Dominguez: The golden boy of BMX Freestyle
While pioneers come and go, the best live on forever as legends. The year 1980’s vert phenom Michael Robert Dominguez, more commonly known as Mike Dominguez, is precisely this unique exception. During the infancy years of BMX Freestyle, there was absolutely
nobody more exciting and innovative than him.
For nearly 10 years, he had never failed to show up at a competition without a new exquisite trick in his arsenal. The roots of nearly all the vert, park and trail tricks can be traced back to the foundation laid down by this sensational rider.
Born on September 19, 1968, at Whittier in California, Dominguez had spent his early years on a skateboard. However, once he mounted a friend’s bike at Skate City just for the kicks, there was no turning back and the passion for four-wheels was substituted
by an even stronger passion for BMX Freestyle, riding ramps and skate-parks.
At a very young age, hardly 13 or 14, Dominguez competed in his very first BMX contest and walked away with a maiden victory along with his very first sponsor, Premier helmets. His competition prowess quickly earned him a reputation of a young gun that seemed
to be unstoppable on the competition scene. The same year, he got a sequence photo in a magazine doing a 360 fly-out.
During the early eighties, Dominguez started riding for Diamond Back and became a pride of his sponsor as he showcased his Freestyle prowess at numerous competitions to collect victories. In 1985, he clinched top honours in King of the Skateparks and took
home the AFA Masters title for pro ramps a couple of years later.
The Whittier-based rider continued to dominate competitions with his unprecedented skills and creativity, blasting quarter-pipes and introducing new and exciting tricks to the sport. His ability to come up with a unique and improved run at every competition
paved way for a successful career as a professional BMX rider that spanned over a decade.
Bringing his association with Diamond Back to an end in 1988, Dominguez started riding for Bully Bicycles for the next couple of years. However, the sport began to lose its popularity in the 90s, while the 80s’ legend failed to do much to keep the sport
alive while kept off the bike by several of his injuries. Gradually, he faded from the limelight, his era coming to an abrupt end.
During his prime years, Dominguez unveiled several tricks that later went on to became the basics for BMX Freestyle. These included the early variations in the air, such as can-cans, one-foot one-hand inverts, to more technical tricks such as the 540 and
900 spins. One of his many specialities was to gap transfers with variations and spins, making his runs even more memorable.
Dominguez made his comeback in late 90s and still continues to ride and attend BMX demos and contests throughout the world. Despite the new wave of riders, namely Jamie Bestwick, Dave Mirra, Matt Hoffman, Chad Kagy and Kevin Robinson, taking over to the
lead way since the dawn of the new millennium, Dominguez continues to remain a legend and one of the most respected figures in the BMX community. There is still nobody who can match his unmistakable style and fluid movement in the air.
Dominguez will be getting inducted in The National BMX Hall Of Fame for his huge contribution towards the progression of the sport in September, 2011.
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