He heard the rumors, the whispers.

Skateboarding could be … might be … in the Olympics.

But, when you’re 12 years old, maybe it was just wishful thinking.

Maybe. Maybe not.

Still, Heimana Reynolds knows all about wishes coming true, particularly birthday ones. In 2010, he won Disney XD’s “Next X” reality show and the rad prizes that went with it, one of which was getting to do a pre-run at the X Games 16 skate park in Los Angeles.

And, in true Disney storybook fashion, the run came on Reynolds’ 12th birthday.

Nine years later, Reynolds will be back at the X Games, just in time for his 21st birthday on Thursday. Only this time he is doing it as the top-ranked park skateboarder in the world, courtesy of last Friday’s victory at the International Skateboarding Open of Park in Nanjing, China.

The Aina Haina resident jumped from No. 6 in the world — No. 2 in the U.S. — into the rankings lead at 47,300. If his success continues, Reynolds just might realize his Olympic dream when the sport makes its debut next year at the Tokyo Games.

A maximum of three per country advance to the 20-man park competition at Aomi Urban Venue on Aug. 5-6, 2020. The qualification process runs through May 31, with seven more points events including the 2019 season finale — the World Skate World Championships, Sept. 10-15, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Reynolds was home this week to recharge, getting in some surfing and sessions at Kamiloiki Community Park’s skate park. He leaves Saturday for the X Games, packing confidence and the target of being No. 1.

“I like both chasing the target and being the target, although I’ve only had a couple of wins,” the Mid-Pacific Institute graduate said. “(After last week) I know all eyes are on me, but I have the confidence in knowing that I can win contests like (in China), that I can beat all these guys.

“I feel that I got lucky, was able to land all the runs that I wanted. I was on point that day.

“What I love about the sport is going to a park and it has a completely different line (to ride). It’s about finding the lines, finding that beauty in the endless lines there.”

His runs included his signature trick, the front-side hand plant. If viewers didn’t catch it, they could ask to see the tattoo on his right thigh: Reynolds has had one of a little cartoon character doing the trick since February.

His parents, Matt and Samantha, are his foundation and support. They left their jobs — as a lifeguard and at a jewelry store — to open Proper Rideshop, a developmental skate park and skate shop on Kokea Street near the Kapalama Canal.

“My dad was a semi-pro surfer and lifeguard on the North Shore,” Reynolds said. “He wanted me to be a surfer, but when I didn’t want to do that, he introduced me to skateboarding. I fell in love with it.

“Maybe eight years ago, they both quit their jobs and opened up the shop. I know it is part of their support for me and I’m so grateful.”

As for the Olympics, “it’s always been a dream of mine from when I was around 10 and I heard people talking about it,” he said. “It’s so crazy that something I wanted to see in the Olympics will be there and it’s crazy that it’s lining up that I could be there, too.

“I feel that people are going to recognize the good in skating. That it’s a proven sport and not about of bunch of dirtbags and drug addicts.”

Reynolds has Tahitian and Hawaiian heritage. His first name translates from Tahitian as “power of the haku (head) lei,” a reference to Jesus’ crown of thorns worn at the crucifixion.

He has dual citizenship and could have opted to qualify for France; Tahiti is part of French Polynesia, which is governed by the French. But there would have been a number of requirements, including establishing residency in France.

“I was thinking about it,” he said. “But I really want to represent the U.S.

“It’s such an insane dream and it might be possible.”

Disney’s Next X could become Olympics XXXII now.