Taka Takes Gold In Moto X Freestyle
Never-Landed Trick Secures Taka’s First Gold
It took six years and one never-before landed trick, but it was well worth the wait and effort as Japan’s Taka Higashino took home the first X Games gold medal of his career Thursday night at the STAPLES Center.
“This is my last competition, I’m retiring now that I have the gold,” Higashino said jokingly. “Now I’m looking forward to getting my green card on Saturday.”
Higashino pulled the ace out of his sleeve early on, opening up his first run with a Rock Solid backflip, a trick that had yet to be landed in competition, not to mention one that most believed he would save for Moto X Best Trick on Friday where he’ll be looking to land back on the podium after finishing with a bronze in the event in 2010.
Following Higashino with the silver was Levi Sherwood who made his return to X Games after being unable to compete in 2011 due to injury. His finish marked the second Moto X Freestyle silver of Sherwood’s career, the first he earned in 2010.
And, with tricks like a Superman Indian air backflip, an aired-out ruler, and a cordova flip, Javier Villegas earned the bronze medal to distinguish himself as the first Chilean to ever medal at X Games.
“First time, first medal. Let’s do it again next year, but better,” Villegas said.
Moto X Freestyle gives riders two shots at a course full of both metal and dirt jumps with their best scores counted.
For X Games media information, including press releases, logos and additional images from past events, log on to www.espneventmedia.com. To view medalist runs, visit the Winter X Games You Tube Channel
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X GAMES LOS ANGELES 2012
X Games Los Angeles 2012 will return to Los Angeles, Calif., June 28 – July 1, 2012, with live coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. This year will mark the 10th consecutive year the event will be held in Los Angeles and will feature more than 200 of the world’s best athletes in the sports of BMX Freestyle, Rally
Car, Moto X and Skateboard. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will televise 21 hours of LIVE high-definition programming, while ESPN3 will provide three additional hours of content. ESPN 3D will televise all 21 hours of Winter X Games over the four-day event.
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Contacts:
Danny Chi, ESPN, 310-642-1509, danny.c.chi@espn.com
Katie Moses-Swope, ESPN, 303-290-7888, katie.moses-swope@espn.com
Grace Coryell, ESPN, 310-642-1519, grace.s.coryell@espn.com