Kotaro Tokura
Kotaro Tokura

One of the lesser known forms of football is “freestyle football” which essentially consists of performing tricks with your body as well as the ball. Globally, this “alternative sport” is catching on like wildfire and is headed towards a cult status. It also has a strong following within Indian youngsters, and to give it a further push Red Bull invited the international Red Bull Street Style 2012 champion Kotaro Tokuda (aka Tokura) from Japan down for a workshop with some of the best Indian freestyle footballers.

This 3 day workshop was meant to help the 6 Indian freestylers enhance their skills with inputs from the champ, as well as from selected physiotherapists. Later in September this year, one of the Indian finalists will represent India (among 40 countries) at the Red Bull Street Style 2013 finals to be held in Japan, where Tokura will be defending his crown! Tokura was kind enough to do a short interview for us, and also showed us a couple of basic freestyle football tricks. Check them out and let us know what you think of this offbeat sport!