X Games rocks Salt Lake City debut with record tricks and Monster Energy sweep
TOMS RIVER, NJ – The X Games marked its 30th anniversary with a high-octane debut in Utah, where athletes pushed the limits in BMX, skateboarding, and Moto X over three days of competition. Backed by Monster Energy as the title sponsor, riders and skaters set new records and landed never-before-seen tricks inside the Utah State Fairpark and Event Center.
BMX star Ryan Williams from Australia claimed double gold, winning BMX Dirt and BMX Dirt Best Trick by landing the world’s first triple backflip on dirt. The event also delivered a hometown highlight for New Jersey: 22-year-old Brady Baker of Toms River took silver in BMX Dirt, standing on the podium alongside Williams and Daniel Sandoval of California, who secured bronze.
In skateboarding, 19-year-old Filipe Mota of Brazil stunned fans in Street Best Trick with a Caballerial kickflip backside tailslide for gold. Fifteen-year-old Arisa Trew from Australia continued her dominance in women’s events, winning Vert Best Trick with a never-landed move and securing her eighth career gold. She also added silver in Women’s Vert.
Moto X brought the heat with Julien Vanstippen of Belgium taking Best Whip gold, while brothers Tom and Ben Richards earned silver and bronze in Best Trick. Tucson’s Kevin Peraza closed the weekend with a groundbreaking tailwhip wall ride transfer in BMX Park Best Trick, securing another gold for Monster Energy.
In all, Monster Energy athletes collected 21 medals – seven gold, eight silver, and six bronze – as the 74th edition of the X Games delivered a historic celebration of action sports.
