20 year old Kevin Peraza took the course by storm nailing some impressive tail whips, tooth picks and bar spins to give him the best two combined scores of the five finalists. When asked about the level of local talent he thinks it won’t be long until they are taking his spot on the podium saying, “There is an amazing park here and there is a tonne of talent here in China. It’s a worldwide sport and they are definitely going to be here on top in the next few years. They’ve all got motivation and they all love the sport like we do and I can definitely see an Asian, Chinese rider winning this event in the future for sure.”
Silver went to America’s Mykel Larrin, who felt the athletes performed at their best out there. Bronze medal rookie was England’s Alex Kennedy who was “stoked” to do so well on his maiden outing here. “This is my first Extreme Games medal, it’s absolutely amazing, can’t believe it. I managed to get my whole run together and I combined my tricks. Being in China is so much fun, always something to look at, I love it,” he said.
Mykel Larrin; photo credit: KWEG2014 - C.Xia
Performance of the Vert final came from Vince Byron who claimed his third consecutive Gold medal in the BMX Vert by producing what the legendary Mat Hoffman called Vince’s “best ride ever”. Scoring an impressive 87.33 in his first of three runs, he was flying solo with the rest of the impressive lineup left in his wake to contest silver and bronze.
“I felt really great on my bike. I put together a run that I wanted in my mind and it went perfectly. I am so stoked on the way I rode, I couldn’t be happier. Three times in a row, I never would have dreamt that," said Vince.
Vince Byron; photo credit: KWEG2014 - K.Sato
Veteran of the sport Dennis McCoy of the United States showed that age is no barrier to immense skill and creativity as he performed multiple ‘900s’ (a two and a half spin in mid air) to take silver. Over his 29 year professional career, there have been a few standout events, and for McCoy, aged 47, today’s competition just got added to that list.
“I could list a handful of epic competitions on the Vert and today was one of those. To end up with a silver medal after seeing Vince’s first run, I am very happy," Dennis added.
Simon Tabron of the UK was the rider to scoop bronze, much to his delight.
“I was hoping I would podium, I was a little bit disappointed with the way I rode but it was the first contest of the year for me so to get podium was amazing. I have never seen Vince ride like he did today. His first run was complete, it had everything, it was a done deal," Simon said.
Simon Tabron; photo credit: KWEG2014 - K.Sato
The Mini-Mega ramp contest is a favorite event all year. It’s all about the flow and giving the best. Vince Byron scored a 94 on his third round with a 360 down-whip superman sea crab on the gap followed by a 540 double tail whip on the quarter pipe, to secure a double-gold victory for the second year running and the crown of the Games’ most successful athlete this year.
Vince Byron jumping in the Mini-Mega ramp from the top; photo credit: KWEG2014 - P.Lau
Vince Byron; photo credit: KWEG2014 - K.Sato
Chad Kagy of the US came in second, landing his third round run too, as did Calton Satterfield, who needed a bit of help from his buddy Peraza to keep him in the competition after he damaged his seat.
Calton explained, “I wrecked today on tricks I have already done in practice – he (Kevin) is a good friend of mine, he grabbed another seat for me and helped me out. That’s what BMX is about, you help each other.”
Chad Kagy; photo credit: KWEG2014 - P.Lau
The top five boarders competed for the medals with their best run counting, each bringing their own signature style on the lips, ramps and rails. Performing his moves to perfection on the second run to get him the Gold was Japans Ryo Sejiri. Another 13 year old medalist for the day, Jagger Eaton (younger of the two skateboarding brothers), collected his first medal in Shanghai and was gushing with pride after a confident and composed performance. Feeling like the old man of the competition, 29 year old Jordan Hoffart of the United States rounded off the podium.
The towering Hoffart said, “It’s awesome, especially when I see little kids like this (Eaton) forcing me into retirement, to come out and still have a little juice in me to medal, it’s an honor.
Ryo Sejiri; photo credit: KWEG2014 - K.Sato
The Skateboard Mini-Mega competition gathered the top five athletes from two final heats into a ‘super final’ with each rider dropping in from a 30 ft tower, jumping over a 32 feet gap, landing, and proceeding into a quarter pipe. The run gives the athletes an air elevation of 12-15 feet above the 18 ft quarter pipe wall. 2013 winner Andy Macdonald lost out to a new kid on the block Trey Wood who was competing in his first-ever Mini-Mega competition! The 13-year old, also from the USA was overcome with emotion at the result.
"Legend" Andy McDonald; photo credit: KWEG2014 - P.Lau
Winners Andy & Trey; photo credit: KWEG2014 - P.Lau
“I don’t know if it’s real or not! These are the guys I have looked up to all my life and watched on TV, they got me into skateboarding. To be able to even just skate with them is an honor. Andy has been in this so long so to be able to beat someone like that is just a dream come true,” young Tray said.
Andy Macdonald collected his second medal of the competition – adding a bronze to his silver on Mini-Mega and Rony Gomes of Brazil was delighted to be taking silver medal home to keep up his winning streak in Shanghai. The Gold went to an overwhelmed Jimmy Wilkins with the medal marking his first ever win in a skateboard competition. Wilkins is the skaters’ skater, pushing progression and innovation in vertical skateboarding.
“This is my first win ever, in anything, so I am in a bit of shock right now. It was best run counted and I only made my first run so I am glad I got it. I decided just to go for it," Jimmy said.
Gold medalist Jimmy Wilkins; photo credit: KWEG2014 - P.Lau
Andy Mack, as his fans know him, was equally thrilled with his medals and had great fun celebrating with the young kids. “I can’t complain going home with a bronze and silver and I can’t wait to come back.” Even at the age of 40 he is still relishing the sport as much as ever. He added, “This is the most fun thing I know to do, since I was 12 years old. I have the best job in the world!”
Australian CJ Wellsmore put on a confident display and proved to be master of the rails while other hot contenders failed to conquer to demanding street course, which is new to the competition this year. Kanashima took the silver medal while Yuto Guto, also from Japan, stepped down from a 2013 silver to a bronze this time around.
CJ added, “I am from Australia so I am used to skating in bowls and on big ramps so this tough course really suited me. It was a tough competition but I love this event and am very happy to have won. It’s a great event, I love coming to compete in China – my first event here was back in 1999 when I was 12 years old!"
CJ killing it; photo credit: KWEG2014 - C.Xia
Bladers put on a good show for a huge crowd in Vert as well. Top of the bill were Japanese siblings – Eito and Takeshi Yasutoko who between them have now claimed Gold on the Vert for the past eight years. Yasutoko brothers are hugely popular in Asia and as Eito nailed it in 2013, this year the blades rolled in Takeshi’s favour once again for his 7th title in Shanghai, Eito took the silver. Third place went to Bulgarian Nikolaj Najdenov, taking it with his fourth and final run of the competition.
Yasutoko brothers; photo credit: KWEG2014 - K.Sato
Takeshi Yasutoko; ; photo credit: KWEG2014 - K.Sato
Michael ‘Chucky’ Norris and Joel Brown were on the podium after their four rounds of competition. The tiniest of margins separated Australian Norris from compatriot and silver medalist Pat Bowden, with Brown collecting Bronze. Just missing out on a medal was Tom Robinson who qualified in last place then rode his way up to fourth but he didn't mind.
“It was the coolest feeling when I was flying through the air and I could hear the roar of the crowds below. It gave me goose bumps, ” Robinson described the feeling of being in China for the first time.
photo credit: KWEG2014
Freestyle Motocross winners; photo credit: KWEG2014 - K.Sato
Overall, the KWEG 2014 is a fantastic event with a great crowd of thousands. It is all about friendship, having a good time and giving the best. Farewell Shanghai, we see you next year!
Source: http://www.kiaworldextremegames.com
