(BEIJING, August 19) -- Australian BMX cyclist Kamakazi, who has numerous lucky charms and rituals and changed his name from Jamie Hildebrandt in 2001 as it was more in keeping with his riding style, is leaving nothing to chance in his quest for Olympic glory.

　　Kamakazi, who paid 280 Australian dollars to change his name, comes to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games sporting a pair of lucky earrings his girlfriend made for him and a pair of black socks he first wore when he became a national champion in 2004 - and has worn ever since.

　　He said of his change of name: "It's my nickname. It's my riding style. I give it all I've got, and I used to crash a bit, so people started calling me Kamakazi."

　　His Australian teammate Jared Graves said the 27-year-old Kamakazi used to be "just as crazy off the track as on it. But he met a little lady (girlfriend) and cleaned himself up a few years ago."

　　Kamakazi, who began riding BMX competitively at the age of 16, was named the 2001 and 2006 Australian male BMX biker of the year. Earlier this year he reached the semifinals of the world championships in Taiyuan, China.

　　Despite his faith in charms and rituals, Kamakazi has taken his training and preparation seriously, giving up his job as a boilermaker to focus on the Olympics.

　　"If you have to leave it to chance, you shouldn't be up there. I've been hanging on to this sport for the last three years to try to make it to the Olympics," he said.

　　As for the name, Kamakazi admits he may not have it forever. "I might have to change it back if I get married," he said.