Chad Kagy Wins BMX Vert at X Games Asia
May 1, 2008 – 10:52 am PT by GregTags: Chad Kagy, Koji Kraft, X Games, X Games Asia, Zack Warden —
Chad Kagy has won his second BMX Vert X Games Asia title in a row after securing a win today in Shanghai. Kagy edged Koji Kraft by a score of 92.33 to 91.33 for the title, while Aussie Tim Wood took third and the ageless DMC, Dennis McCoy, took fourth. Zack Warden, who last week finished second at X Games Brazil, took eighth. Kraft was also in Brazil, where he placed fourth.
Action in Asia continues tomorrow with BMX Street and Skate Vert finals.
Check out the full top ten BMX Vert finalists along with the payout:
1. Chad Kagy - 92.33 ($6,000)
2. Koji Kraft - 91.33 ($4,000)
3. Tim Wood - 91.00 ($2,000)
4. Dennis McCoy - 88.33 ($1,000)
5. Ben Snowden - 85.67 ($1,000)
6. Vince Byron - 85.67 ($1,000)
7. Kiattichai Wanitsakul - 84.33 ($600)
8. Zack Warden - 83.33 ($600)
9. Chokchai Wanitsakul - 82.33 ($500)
10. Zafrin Sabikin - 81.67 ($500)
Read more about the games and the other *cough* events that had finals today in the press release below.
American BMX Vert Rider Chad Kagy Reigns Supreme Again Winning Back-to-Back Gold at KIA X Games Asia 2008
Familiar Storylines in Day One of Competition at Asia’s Premier Action Sports Event
Shanghai, China – The first day of competition at KIA X Games Asia kicked off in Shanghai, China today as a spirited crowd arrived to watch finals competitions of BMX Freestyle Vert, Women’s Speed Climbing, Aggressive In-line Park and demonstrations in Moto X Best Trick. With a strong first day attendance of more than 13,800 cheering spectators at KIC Jiangwan Sports Center, today’s commencement marked the 10-year anniversary of X Games Asia events.
Manu Sawhney, Managing Director, ESPN Star Sports greeted spectators at the opening ceremony in their native Mandarin Chinese language. “We are proud to bring KIA X Games Asia back again to one of the world’s leading sporting nations and a passionate audience that truly reflects the spirit of the X Games,” said Sawhney. Sawhney was joined by VIP speakers during the ceremony, including Shanghai city vice mayor, Madam Chao Wen; the Yang Pu district mayor, Ms. Zong Ming; Shanghai Media Group president, Mr. Li Ruigang and KIA Motors China president, Mr. Jung Chang Ho.
BMX Freestyle Vert
In familiar fashion, American riders once again dominated the BMX Vert competition as they claimed two of the top three spots on the podium. Chad Kagy took home X Games Asia gold for the second straight year, showcasing his amplitude and signature flairs to the Chinese crowd. Fellow American rider Koji Kraft was just edged out for top honors by slightly more than one point, while Australian rider Tim Wood rounded out the podium, putting on a strong performance with his patented spins.
“It feels great to come back to Shanghai and win back-to-back gold medals,” said Kagy. “I’ve made some of the most amazing friends through bike riding and those that I’ve met in China are no different. The local riders here are so motivated and have no fear; they really just let loose and they’re improving year after year.”
Women’s Speed Climbing
While the Indonesian speed climbers didn’t manage a complete sweep of the podium as in last year’s event, they did come close as Evi Neliwaty retained her title for the second straight year and fellow teammate Etti Hendrawati took home the silver medal in her first major competition after a long hiatus.
“I’m thrilled to retain my title,” said Neliwaty. “However, I’m really impressed with the Chinese climbers today. They seemed to have improved a lot from last year and it looks like we will have to train harder to stay ahead.”
Even with an injury, China’s Li Chunhua made X Games history as she won bronze in what was the best finish and first medal for a Chinese woman climber at an X Games event.
Sporting a smile from ear to ear, Li said, “I had some pressure, but was not afraid. I was able to forget the injury to my hands and just push myself to the limit. My experience this afternoon really felt like what these games are all about – pushing the limits.”
Aggressive In-Line Park
Australians Rian Arnold and Nicolas Schopfer took the top two spots in the Aggressive In-line Park competition and Soichiro Kanashima of Japan won bronze. Although the Australian skaters finished on top, it was a tightly contested competition as the top three final scores were all within three points of each other.
“I’m really happy I got the win, but the Asian athletes I competed against today are amazing,” said Arnold. “They really do have a unique style and make everything look so fluid and easy.”
Tomorrow fans can look forward to watching finals competitions in Men’s Speed Climbing, Skateboard Vert and BMX Freestyle Park.
About KIA X Games Asia
The KIA X Games Asia 2008 will showcase more than 200 of Asia’s and the world’s best action sport athletes from more than 20 countries and five continents as they compete in BMX freestyle, Aggressive In-line Skating, Skateboarding and Sport Climbing. In addition to the competitive events, Shanghai, China will also enjoy Moto X demonstrations by some of the world’s best riders in Best Trick and Step Up.
X Games Asia was first held in 1998 and is the most prestigious multi-event competition for action sports in Asia. Between 1998 and 2001 the event took place in Phuket, Thailand. From 2002-2004, the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur was home to the Asian X Games. In 2005, the event was hosted in Seoul, Korea before returning to Kuala Lumpur in 2006. Last year’s KIA X Games Asia marked the first time an X Games event was held in the People’s Republic of China.
Considered the pinnacle of global action sports competition, the KIA X Games Asia 2008 will be televised live from May 1 – 3, 2008 on ESPN Asia Networks from the KIC Jiangwan Sports Center, Yang Pu District. Visit the official websites www.Kiaxgamesasia.com and www.espnstar.com for more information.
