Monster Energy's BMX, Moto X, and Skateboard Athletes Claim Gold Medals and Make Action Sports History at X Games Osaka 2025
Monster Energy Team Claims 13 Medals (4 Gold, 4 Silver, 5 Bronze) at X Games Osaka
15-Year-Old Arisa Trew from Australia, Claims Double Gold in Women's Skateboard Park and Vert, Sets New All-Time Record in Women's Skateboarding for Most X Games Gold Medals at 7 Medals
25-Year-Old Tom Schaar from Malibu Takes Gold in Men's Skateboard Park and Bronze in Men's Skateboard Vert
30-Year-Old Ryan Williams from Sunshine Coast, Australia, Takes Gold in BMX Park Best Trick, Kevin Peraza from Tucson, Arizona, Claim Bronze
18-Year-Old Monster Army Rider Asahi Kaihara from Osaka, Japan, Takes Silver in Women's Skateboard Vert
24-Year-Old Ben Richards from Wagga Wagga, Australia, Takes Silver in Moto X Best Trick, 33-Year-Old Jackson Strong from Lockhart, Australia, Earns Bronze
36-Year-Old Moto Sasaki from Chiba, Japan, Claims Silver Medal in BMX Flatland
29-Year-Old Moto Shibata from Osaka, Japan, Takes Silver in Men's Skateboard Vert Best Trick
27-Year-Old Anthony Jeanjean from Béziers, France, Earns Bronze in BMX Park
29-Year-Old Jordan Godwin from Cardiff, Wales, Secures Bronze in BMX Street Final
World's Leading Action Sports Competition Returned to Japan for Fourth Time, Stoking Fans with Elite Performances Across BMX, Moto X, Skateboard Competitions
OSAKA, Japan, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The fourth X Games in Japan is officially a wrap! Monster Energy congratulates its BMX, Moto X, and Skateboard athletes on groundbreaking performances at X Games Osaka 2025.
During two days of live competitions inside Kyocera Dome stadium, the world-class team claimed a total of 13 X Games medals (four gold, four silver, and five bronze) and raised the bar by landing never-been-done tricks and setting new medal records.
Standouts included 15-year-old Arisa Trew from Palm Beach, Australia, claiming double gold in Women's Skateboard Vert and Skateboard Park to set a new all-time record for most X Games gold medals in women's skateboarding at seven medals. In Men's Skateboard Park, 25-year-old Tom Schaar from Malibu, California, defended his X Games gold medal in the discipline. In the Dave Mirra BMX Park Best Trick event, 30-year-old Ryan Williams from Sunshine Coast, Australia, claimed the gold medal. Visit monsterenergy.com for exclusive content and highlights.
Supported by Monster Energy as the official energy drink partner, X Games Osaka 2025 marked the 73rd edition of X Games since the contest's inception in 1995. From June 20-22, a total of 83 athletes from 13 countries competed for 36 medals in 12 events across BMX, Moto X, and Skateboarding disciplines.
Here's how the Monster Energy team performed at X Games Osaka 2025:
The team's medal run started on Saturday in the highly anticipated Women's Skateboard Vert competition. Defending gold medalist Arisa Trew raised the bar with a stacked run featuring two 540 variations and a switch McTwist for 87.66 points and the gold medal. And Trew had more winning to do at X Games Osaka! She was joined on the podium by 18-year-old Monster Army rider Asahi Kaihara from Osaka, Japan, who claimed the silver medal in front of a hometown crowd on her final attempt. Kaihara now owns three X Games medals (one silver, two bronze).
Continuing the podium spots, the BMX Park final saw multiple BMX Park World Champion Anthony Jeanjean from Béziers, France, finally claim his first X Games medal. Putting it all on the line during his final run, the Frenchman exploded on the course with transfers and technical tricks to earn 82.00 points and the bronze medal.
Also rising to the podium, Tom Schaar took bronze in the Men's Skateboard Vert event. Putting together a difficult run peppered with fakie 720 tailgrab and massive kickflip body varial McTwist, Schaar took home third place with 83.00 points and had more up his sleeve for Osaka.
The team earned the next victory in the Dave Mirra BMX Park Best Trick event. Rising above the competition, Ryan Williams landed a technical frontflip flair tailwhip on the quarter pipe for his second gold medal in the discipline. Williams now owns 11 X Games medals (nine gold and two silver) and has won X Games gold in four different disciplines. Also claiming a medal for the team, 30-year-old Kevin Peraza from Tucson, Arizona, clinched bronze with a flair downwhip to fakie over the box. Peraza now owns twelve X Games medals (seven gold, three silver, two bronze).
Ending the first day of X Games Osaka 2025 on a high note, the Moto X Best Trick final concluded with two podium spots for the team. In a major upset, 24-year-old Ben Richards from Wagga Wagga, Australia, dropped in as the youngest competitor and clinched silver as his first career X Games medal. The trick that did it? Richards stomped an ultra-rare handlebar hop variation known as Special Flip – performing a 360 body varial in his seat while in the air – for 91.00 points and second place.
Richards was joined on the podium by the most decorated rider in Moto X Best Trick, 33-year-old Jackson Strong from Lockhart, Australia. Strong finessed a technical frontflip seat grab Indy for 90.00 points and the bronze medal. Strong now owns 18 X Games medals (eight gold, six silver, and four bronze).
The second day of X Games Osaka started with the highly competitive BMX Street final. Rising to the occasion, 29-year-old Jordan Godwin from Cardiff, Wales, covered the entire park with technical tricks such as nollie to feeble grind and peg grind to hardway 360 for 87.66 points and the bronze medal. Godwin now owns two X Games medals (one silver and one bronze).
Keeping the focus on technical bike tricks, the BMX Flatland event saw 36-year-old Monster Energy team rider Moto Sasaki from Chiba, Japan, claim the silver medal. Putting together a flawless combo while balancing on his front wheel, Sasaki earned his second X Games medal despite battling a harsh arm injury. Sasaki now owns 2 X Games medals (one silver and one bronze).
The medal run continued in the Men's Skateboard Vert Best Trick final, where hometown hero Moto Shibata unveiled a technical trick to raise the roof: A front foot impossible lien 540 brought the crowd to its feet and earned Shibata the silver medal. Shibata now owns 10 X Games medals (one gold, eight silver, and one bronze).
The Osaka crowd witnessed action sports history in the Women's Skateboard Park final, where defending gold medalist Arisa Trew had her eyes on setting a new record: The 15-year-old skateboard phenomenon secured the victory with a massive score of 93.33 points by landing moves such as kickflip Indy, switch backside air, and switch McTwist. And just like that, Trew set the new record for most X Games gold in women's skateboarding at seven gold. She also tied the record set by BMXer Dave Mirra for claiming gold in two disciplines at three consecutive X Games. Keep an eye out next week at X Games Salt Lake City when Trew has the next chance at writing history!
Ending the fourth X Games in Japan with a banger, Tom Schaar dropped into the Men's Skateboard Park contest as the defending gold medalist. Rising above the rest of the field, Schaar attacked the park with burly moves including frontside stalefish 360 the box and backside 540 melon for 90.33 points, leading the next competitor by more than 5 points! Schaar now owns 16 X Games medals (four gold, four silver, and eight bronze).
And that's a wrap for X Games Osaka 2025! Missed the action? Watch all event replays on the official X Games YouTube page.
Download Photos for Editorial Use here.
View Monster Energy Daily Video Highlights:Video Highlights Day 1Video Highlights Day 2
Also, make sure to tune in next weekend for X Games Salt Lake City 2025 for three days of BMX, Moto X, and Skateboard competitions from June 27-29.
Visit www.monsterenergy.com for exclusive updates from X Games Osaka 2025, including photos, videos, and contest results. Follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
For interview or photo requests, contact Kim Dresser.
About Monster EnergyBased in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes, and musicians represent. More than a drink, it's the way of life lived by athletes, bands, believers, and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com.
CONTACT: Kim Dresser C: (949) 300-5546 E: kim.dresser@indiepragency.comVideo Highlights Day 1Video Highlights Day 2
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/monster-energys-bmx-moto-x-and-skateboard-athletes-claim-gold-medals-and-make-action-sports-history-at-x-games-osaka-2025-302489389.html
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2 hours ago
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Tsutomu Ogura steps down as Singapore Lions head coach; UK tourist says Singapore lacks history and charm in viral interview: Singapore live news
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Yahoo
3 hours ago
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Byron Mann on Breaking Into Korean Cinema With ‘Big Deal' and Bridging East-West Storytelling: ‘The World Is Bigger Than Just America'
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The process involved understanding the Korean team's intentions for each scene and line, then translating those concepts into natural English vernacular specific to how an investment banker would speak. 'Every line, every scene, I had to first of all understand what they were thinking. Then I had to translate it, spit it out in English.' The effort paid off. After seeing the finished film in Korea, Mann says he's 'very pleased' with how the English dialogue flows naturally, adding that it will help the film resonate when it travels to English-speaking markets. Working within Korea's production system revealed fascinating differences from Hollywood practices. On his first night in Seoul, Mann received what he initially thought was a Japanese manga book but turned out to be detailed storyboards for the entire film. 'Midway through the shoot, I realized that they're actually shooting literally according to the storyboard in the book, frame by frame,' Mann recalls. The practice, he learned, has become standard in Korean filmmaking over the past 8-10 years, with studios now requiring storyboards for greenlight approval. Looking forward, Mann sees significant shifts in the industry landscape, particularly in how streaming platforms approach content. 'You can see the streamers, particularly Netflix, realize that the world is bigger than just America,' he observes. 'I think they spend more resources on the rest of the world than in the United States.' Post-pandemic cost pressures following the writers' and actors' strikes have made Asian productions increasingly attractive to studios seeking efficiency. 'The cost of making a series is going to be a lot cheaper than what you make in the U.S., and if you're able to tell an equally exciting story in Asia, that's probably the way to go.' This economic reality aligns with Mann's recent career focus on what he calls 'Hollywood films that take place in Asia.' He recently completed 'The Modelizer,' a romantic comedy shot entirely in Hong Kong, and has several similar projects in development. Having worked with directors ranging from Adam McKay to various Asian filmmakers, Mann has observed distinct cultural approaches to performance and production. 'Adam McKay is very loose and improvisational,' he notes, while Asian directors often emphasize action and 'a little bit more posturing.' Western directors, Mann suggests, tend to expect actors to arrive fully prepared with homework completed for the entire project, while some Asian productions allow for more flexibility and star input during filming. Mann is preparing to announce his next project. Meanwhile, his completed action thriller 'Kill Him 'Til He's Dead' is in post-production for a later 2025 release. The film features Mann in seven different roles, which he describes as 'very groundbreaking' and 'fun.' His current focus continues to center on 'telling stories that happen in Asia, or Asian stories, and infusing it with Hollywood expertise.' 'Big Deal' is currently on release in the U.S., Canada and Korea. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Wang's journey from Beijing to Canada sets him to become 3rd Chinese-born player picked in NHL draft
Invited to watch his first hockey practice at an ice rink in Beijing, Haoxi Wang was no different than any impressionable, wide-eyed 4-year-old being fascinated by the equipment the players wore. They resembled superheroes with sticks, uniforms and bulging pads, their faces hidden behind helmeted cages. This was before the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, when hockey was a niche sport in China and the NHL a mere pipe dream. 'It was definitely the gear,' the 6-foot-5, 215-pound — and still growing — defenseman who goes by Simon recalled at the NHL pre-draft scouting combine in Buffalo earlier this month. 'Something just clicked inside of me, and I just fell in love with the game,' Wang added. 'Right away, I told my mom I need to get out there as soon as possible. And I probably went on the ice the next day or so.' This marked the start of a journey that saw a 12-year-old Wang move to Toronto and work his way up the junior ranks to play for the OHL Oshawa Generals. At 17, he is considered a candidate to be an early to mid-round pick in the NHL draft in Los Angeles this weekend. 'I think this is a dream come true moment for me,' said Wang, ranked 34th on NHL Central Scouting's list of North American skaters. 'If I told myself four, five years ago that I'll be here, the NHL combine, I'd probably tell myself I'm dreaming.' He's not. Based on Wang's size and skating ability, there's likely to be even more pinch-me moments ahead for someone in position to become just the third Chinese-born player — and potentially highest — selected in the NHL draft. Short list of Chinese players drafted Andong Song, chosen 172nd overall by the New York Islanders in 2015, was the first Chinese-born player drafted. Song never played professionally following two seasons with the USHL's Madison Capitols. Then there's Kevin He, also from Beijing, who is on path to playing in the NHL. Drafted 109th by Winnipeg last year, He signed a three-year entry level contract with the Jets in December. Kevin He had the advantage of playing organized hockey at 6 when his family moved to Montreal. By comparison, Wang's true introduction to the sport competitively came with his arrival in Toronto at the urging of a friend who made the move earlier to pursue hockey. It was a culture shock for Wang, who left his family behind and couldn't speak English. 'I think courage would be the word, I would describe it,' Oshawa general manager Roger Hunt said. 'The only language he knew was hockey. And he wanted to play. And he had the vision at that age to say, 'Hey, if I want to do this, I better go there.'' Wang proved to be a quick study. Though raw, his ability almost immediately caught everyone's attention. The only question for Hunt in selecting Wang in the fifth round of the 2023 OHL 16-year-old draft was his eligibility in having already committed to Boston University. The NCAA previously barred CHL players from competing at the college ranks before eliminating its rule in November. OHL debut with Oshawa Wang made his debut with Oshawa in December. Though he finished with a modest five assists in 53 games on a team that lost to London in the OHL finals, Wang did not look out of place. 'I don't think anybody would have went into that arena and said, 'Hey, this kid's only played hockey five years,'' Hunt said. 'He's got such good feet, he skates so well, his edges, everything.' Next year, Hunt projects Wang to take on a larger role as Oshawa's top defenseman. Wang is ahead of schedule, in part due to the NCAA rule change. The initial plan last season, his agent John Walters said, was to have Wang stay in the OJHL, where he was already showing signs of dominating with four goals and 22 points in 38 games. Walters said it was at Wang's urging to make the jump to OHL to spur his development against better competition. 'I had a couple of NHL teams saying, 'You should have left him in junior, because there would have been that wonderment about him.' And I said, 'But that wouldn't have made him better,'' Walters said. 'Simon doesn't care whether he goes in the first, second or third round. He wants to get better. He needed to go challenge himself.' It was Walters who took Wang under his wing early after his arrival in Canada, with Walters' father chauffeuring the player to practices and games. Another benefit was Wang's mother, Willa, who was so inspired by her son's passion for hockey, she became an ice-rink developer in China and she eventually purchased the Ontario Junior Hockey League team where her son played. The plan for Wang now is to compete in the OHL next season before making the jump to Boston University, where his older brother completed his post-graduate studies. 'When I was 12, I had a very naive belief in me that I'm going to make it,' he said. 'But I'm here right now and not taking any moment for granted. I'm still learning, and I might be still behind a lot of guys, but my potential and what I can become as a player, that's what's really exciting about me.' ___ AP NHL:
