Takayuki Higashino, AKA Taka, hails from hustling and bustling metropolis of Osaka in the Kansai region of Japan and is, undisputedly, one of the preeminent freestyle motocross riders on Earth. The son of a firefighter, Taka first touched wheels down in the United States of America in 2006, firmly believing it was the place he needed to be to make a run at his dream of becoming an internationally recognized FMX rider. And through unprecedented commitment, discipline and hard work, he did just that. Higashino made fast friends with Brian Deegan, Jeremy Twitch Stenberg and the rest of the Metal Mulisha flight squadron shortly after his arrival, and by the year 2010, he was claiming X Games medals. By 2013, Higashino became the undisputed number one FMX rider in the sport by initiating a streak of three-straight gold medal performances at the X Games.So who is this guy and how did he become one of the most decorated and prolific FMX riders in the sports history? Well, to answer these questions requires a long look over the shoulder, back to 2006 when he first showed up at the rough and tumble local FMX ramps teeming through the Southern California scene.I was too excited at the beginning, laughed Higashino in reflecting upon his early days in Southern California. I couldnt believe I was around those guys. I had been watching movies and videos of all of them back in Japan and they were like movie stars to me. Everyone was around at that point in time, guys like [Mike] Mason, [Adam] Jones, Twitch, Nate [Adams]. It was just too exciting then. And with my riding, I was always doing 100 percent or 120 percent with my technique and that would always make me crash. I tried too much!Then came Brian Deegan. Deegan was just beginning his trajectory of becoming one of the sports elite riders and contest competitors when he started taking notice of the quite yet disarmingly polite Japanese FMX rider who was ubiquitous around San Diego and the Inland Empire.Taka had the typical Japanese bike and look, like with all the color and flames all over it and he didnt speak very good English, reflected Deegan. He rode with us and was pretty good and knew a lot of tricks, but was a little squirrely on the jumps. We ended up getting him into some events and helped him get into some shows. He did well. He was always really good at doing a ton of different tricks. He was a good contest guy. He would go to the events and practice harder than everyone else.In 2010, Takas career went into higher gear. Triumphant at the Dew Tour Salt Lake City contest and also winning his first X Games medal, he and his friends around him - one being Jeremy Twitch Stenberg - now knew he was a full-on contender to win anything.At X Games in 2012, I was just happy to learn a new trick like a Rock Solid flip, said Taka. Before X Games, I kept practicing it and Twitch said, You can do it. You can win X Games. I never thought that. It was my dream and hope to even get in the top three. I kept thinking about everything and Twitch said, Dont think, just do it. Twitch pushed me a lot. I did it and won the gold medal.Japans rising son of FMX had fulfilled the dream he once thought impossible.Then, beginning in 2014, Higahino seemingly lost the critical mass that had powered him into rarified air. Outside focus on the sport seemed to diminish, and Higashino failed to replicate his gold medal success. But the ever-evolving sport of freestyle motocross appears to be going through something of a renaissance in 2016, with more competitions and renewed interests from outside sponsors returning to the sport.I think all of this new interest in FMX is great, says Higashino. And now, this weekend, we have the first Monster Energy High Rollers contest in Las Vegas. I think this new contest is another sign of our sport going to a higher level.The Monster Energy FMX High Rollers competition is being webcast live on MonsterEnergy.com at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sat., Oct. 15.For exclusive updates, visit Monster Energy or follow along on Monsters Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. JK Scott Super Bowl Jersey . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Elgton Jenkins Super Bowl Jersey . 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"Theyre doing a great job of making it difficult because theyre both playing at a high level," Kelly said. "Were going to make a decision. One of them could sprain an ankle walking in the parking lot." Vick, the four-time Pro Bowl pick, has the statistical edge over Foles, the second-year pro. "I feel in rhythm all the time," Vick said. "The flow in the way we prepare makes me feel I can do it all. I feel like the team can go places." On the opposite side, Newton had a so-so effort against a defence that got picked apart by Tom Brady last week. Newton, the 2011 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, was 8 of 17 for 112 yards. He played the first half and led the Panthers (1-1) to a pair of field goals. "I thought he did some nice things," coach Ron Rivera said. "He got us down there twice in scoring position. We did miss a couple of throws but he was running for his life twice and both times he overthrew the ball. Im not sure you can put that on the quarterback." Vick completed his first nine passes before throwing an interception on a desperation pass at the end of the second quarter after the Eagles (1-1) got the ball with 24 seconds left in the half. He finished 9 of 10 for 105 yards and also ran for 20. Foles was 6 of 8 for 53 yards. He had 13 yards rushing, including a 7-yard TD scamper. But Foles made a big mistake on his first series when he tried to throw the ball out of the end zone and was picked. "All I can do is correct what I did wrong and improve," Foles said. "Mike is a great quarterback and it makes me a better quarterback going against him. Mike and I have a great relationship. Im happy to see him do well." Through two games, Vick is 13 of 15 for 199 yards, one TD, one interception and a passer rating of 113.dddddddddddd1. Foles is 11 of 14 for 96 yards, no TDs, one pick and a passer rating of 65.7. Foles got the start this week because Vick started the preseason opener against New England. He completed his first six passes and crisply worked a no-huddle offence, moving the Eagles from their 5 to the Panthers 8 before things went awry. Foles dropped a shotgun snap, picked it up and tried to throw the ball away but his underthrown pass was intercepted by Josh Thomas in the back of the end zone. Foles threw an incomplete pass on the first play of the next series, then the Eagles kept it on the ground. One play after LeSean McCoys juke-and-go, 21-yard run, Foles ran in from the 7 for a 7-0 lead. "LeSean is a tremendous back and with a little space, he can make amazing things happen," Foles said. Vick completed his first four passes for 43 yards and guided the Eagles to the Panthers 36 before Chris Polk fumbled after an 8-yard run. Vick started his second drive with two passes to DeSean Jackson for 28 yards and then connected with Riley Cooper for 22. Vick then scrambled 14 yards and 6 yards on consecutive plays before McCoy ran in from the 1 to make it 14-6. The Eagles gave a much better defensive effort in their second game. The first unit allowed 50 yards rushing in the first half after getting steamrolled by the Patriots. Newton is 11 of 23 for 128 yards, one TD and one interception in two games. "There are just some things we have to wrinkle out," Newton said. "We were moving the ball effectively. We cant have self-inflicted penalties. It takes a little more focus. And on my part I feel like I can put the offence in a better situation with a couple of throws I feel got away from me. We moved the ball but we can do better and we will do better as this preseason progresses." NOTES: Graham Gano kicked field goals of 47 and 32 yards, and Morgan Lineberry had a 27-yarder for Carolina. ... Phillip Hunt had surgery for a partial tear of his ACL. ... RB Felix Jones (rib), TE Emil Igwenagu (head) and DB Curtis Marsh (hand) left the game for the Eagles. ... The Panthers didnt have any injuries. ' ' '