Australia’s Jackson Strong Wins Moto X Best Trick Gold in LA
Jacko’s Ride Marks Back-to-Back Golds
Jackson Strong returned to the STAPLES Center Friday to defend his Moto X Best Trick Gold, and in true “Jacko” fashion did it all shirtless. The 20-year-old Aussie rode only wearing his chest protection on his first run and unleashed a Body Varial seat grab.
“This trick was only the second time I’ve ever landed it, but I’m bummed to win like that over Loza,” said Jackson. “But I’m stoked to have back-to-back X Games gold.”
X Games Moto X Freestyle winsner Taka Higashino picked up his first silver medal in the Best Trick competition with a well-executed Rock Solid Backflip and one-handed grab that scored a 90.33.
“It’s too much, you know, it’s perfect, this is my goal,” said Higashino with a permanent smile on his face.
Fellow Australian and three-time Best Trick medalist Cameron Sinclair secured his spot on the podium with a bronze medal. Sinclair pulled off an 89.33 with his Double Backflip—only the fourth guy to have ever landed the trick since it was invented in 2006 by Travis Pastrana.
“I’m so stoked to get a bronze medal and now I have all three – gold, silver and bronze – from 2010, 2011 and now 2012,” said Sinclair. “I’m stoked to have all three colors.”
Day two of X Games Los Angeles 2012 was a night packed with truly spectacular performances as evidenced by the largest Friday night X Games crowd since it moved to Los Angeles in 2002, bringing 33,700 excited fans to L.A. LIVE.
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 – https://www.youtube.com/xgames and follow the X Games on Twitter at Twitter.com/xgames
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.
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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