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Images from the Skate event at the 2018 Aus X-Games
NEWS

Seeing Gold On Final Day At X Games Sydney 2018

Oct 212018

The sun was out over a fully packed Spotless Stadium for the final day of X Games Sydney 2018. Saving the best for last, Monster Energy athletes claimed gold in two of Sunday’s events: Defending gold champions Jarryd McNeil and Nyjah Huston claimed the top spot in Moto X Best Whip and Men’s Skateboard Street, respectively. Monster Energy athletes also took home medals in BMX Big Air and Moto X Best Trick.

Overall, the inaugural Sydney X Games drew massive crowds with attendance for the entire weekend estimated at 52,000 spectators. Despite rain interruptions and a few cancelled events, Australian fans showed their passion for action sports and witnessed the biggest names in BMX, Moto X and Skateboarding make X Games history. Online viewers across the globe followed the action via live stream on X Games digital properties such as YouTube and Instagram Live. 

The final day in Sydney kicked off at noon local time under blue skies with all eyes on the Mega Ramp for BMX Big Air. Defending gold medallist and Monster Energy team rider James Foster, who won BMX Big Air at X Games Minneapolis in 2017 and 2018, came into the competition as the man to beat. Facing the world elite of big ramp BMX riding, Foster sent a massive backflip triple tail whip over the 70-foot gap into a massive quad flip on the 28-foot quarterpipe for 90.33 points and a strong silver finish.

Next it was time for a display of style and versatility in the Moto X Best Whip event that’s all about flying the most contorted sideways aerials, called ‘Whips’, over the dirt jump. This was the time for hometown hero and defending champion Jarryd McNeil from Yarrawonga to make history: Taking the gold medal with massive one-footed seat bounce Whips, the 27-year-old became the most-winning Australian athlete in X Games history with seven gold medals under his belt. As the only American rider in the finals, his teammate Axell Hodges from Encinitas, California, took home his second consecutive bronze in Best Whip.

 

In the highly contested Moto X Best Trick final, all eyes were on Josh Sheehan, who competed in every single Moto X event at X Games Sydney and took silver in Moto X Freestyle last night. Battling difficult course conditions due to the weekend’s rainfall, the 32-year-old Australian motocross icon landed a perfectly executed no-handed double backflip for a strong 90.66 point score and bronze medal finish.

 

Closing out the first-ever X Games on the Australian continent with a bang, Monster Energy’s Nyjah Huston posted a gold-winning score on his very first Men’s Skateboard Street run, including technical highlights such as backside lipslide down the big handrail. Taking his final run as a victory lap, the 24-year old who has been competing at X Games since age 11 increased his winning score for a well-deserved ninth career Skateboard Street gold, making him the most decorated street skater in X Games history.

 

For X Games fans in the United States who missed the action, four hours of event recap coverage will air on ABC as part of the World of X Games series beginning Sunday, October 28. Fans can also follow the latest news and highlights across ESPN digital platforms, including XGames.com and X Games pages across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and more.

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