Monster Energy Riders Soar Above the Competition on Day 1 of X Games Salt Lake City 2025
- 29-Year-Old Jordan Godwin from Cardiff, Wales, Claims Gold in BMX Street
- 16-Year-Old Cocona Hiraki from Hokkaido, Japan, Takes Silver in Women's Skateboard Park
- 22-Year-Old Tom Richards from Australia Clinches Silver in Moto X Best Trick, 24-Year-Old Brother Ben Richards Claims Bronze Medal
SALT LAKE CITY, June 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Day one of summer X Games is in the books! Monster Energy congratulates its team of action sports athletes on a strong performance on the first day of X Games Salt Lake City 2025. On Friday, Monster Energy riders claimed a total of four medals (one gold, two silver, and one bronze) across three contest events at Utah State Fairpark and Event Center.
The BMX Street final saw 29-year-old Jordan Godwin from Cardiff, Wales, claim the gold medal in an elite field. In the SONIC Women's Skateboard Park final, 16-year-old Cocona Hiraki from Hokkaido, Japan, claimed the silver medal with a perfect run. Ending the first day of X Games Salt Lake City, the Moto X Best Trick unfolded with 22-year-old Tom Richards from Wagga Wagga, Australia, earning silver in his X Games debut. He was joined on the podium by his 24-year-old brother Ben Richards, claiming bronze.
From June 27-29, X Games Salt Lake City 2025 marks the 74th edition of X Games since the contest's inception in 1995. Contested in SLC for the first time, the event features more than 100 athletes from across the globe in the 30th anniversary edition of X Games. Invited athletes are competing for 52 medals in 14 events across BMX, Moto X, and Skateboarding disciplines.
Here's how the action unfolded for team Monster Energy on day one of X Games Salt Lake City 2025:
BMX Street: Jordan Godwin Claims Career-First Gold Medal with Technical Run
The Monster Energy team scored the first gold medal of the weekend in the BMX Street final. The leaderboard shifted wildly as the field of eight finalists attacked the course looking to string together a perfect 45-second run. When all was said and done, Jordan Godwin clinched the gold medal in front of the high-energy crowd.
Godwin dropped in as a podium favorite after taking home the bronze medal in BMX Street at X Games Osaka 2025 less than one week earlier. In Salt Lake City, Godwin earned his highest score on the second attempt, stringing together technical tricks otherwise only seen in video parts in a flawless line.
Tricks including Switch snaggle tooth, feeble 270, tobaggon, opposite tailwhip, hanger to overcrank to backwards crook to backover, switch footed switch over crank arm slide, switch feeble 360 backwards ice, pegs hard 360 the long rail earned Godwin 89.33 points for his career-first gold medal.
"I don't know how it happened, but being on the podium these past two weeks is insane! It's nice that the more technical riding and less flashy riding gets some love. I really appreciate it," said Monster Energy's Godwin upon claiming the gold medal in Salt Lake City.
Godwin now owns three X Games medals (one gold, one silver, and one bronze).
Women's Skateboard Park: Cocona Hiraki Claims Silver Medal in Heated Final
The inaugural X Games in Salt Lake City kicked off with the SONIC Women's Skateboard Park competition. Eight finalists received three runs to attack the sprawling course stacked with vertical extensions, corners, and deep bowl sections.
In a heated battle, Cocona Hiraki claimed the silver medal competing against an elite field of riders.
Earning her highest score on the second run, Hiraki put together frontside ollie the hip, backside nosegrind the vert corner, backside crailslide the extension, gap to frontside lipslide, backside tailslide, backside Smith grind the deep end, frontside nosegrind over the hip, frontside stalefish the extension, frontside Smith grind, backside lipslide the hip, and kickflip Indy over the box for 83.66 points and second place.
A two-time Olympic silver medalist, Hiraki now owns five X Games medals (one gold, three silver, and one bronze).
Moto X Best Trick: Tom Richards Claims Silver Medal in X Games Debut, Brother Ben Richards Takes Bronze
Ending the first day of X Games Salt Lake City on a high note, the Moto X Best Trick featured the world's most gifted freestyle motocross riders. Each of the six finalists received two attempts to land their most technical moves, and Team Monster Energy took two podium spots in a close battle.
In a major upset, an X Games rookie and youngest competitor in the discipline claimed the silver medal with a mind-boggling trick on his first attempt: Tom Richards unveiled a difficult body varial: The Body spin is a superman seat grab into an Indy air while the rider performs a barrel roll before grabbing the back fender and climbing back onto the bike. The unique trick earned Richards a score of 93.00 points and second place. That's how you debut at X Games!
The rookie was joined on the podium by his brother, Ben Richards. Fresh off taking a surprise silver medal at X Games Osaka 2025, Richards kept his podium run going in SLC: His signature Special Flip – performing a 360 body varial in his seat while in the air – earned 91.33 points and the bronze medal. Ben Richards now owns two X Games medals (one silver and one bronze).
Both Richards brothers are mentored by the most decorated rider in the discipline, 33-year-old Jackson Strong from Lockhart, Australia. After claiming bronze one week earlier at X Games Osaka 2025, Strong came to SLC with a unique trick: On his first attempt, Strong sent a technical frontflip seat grab Indy over the gap, but lost points on the landing to finish in fourth place with a score of 89.66 points.
Stay tuned for more X Games Salt Lake City 2025! X Games is live all weekend, available to watch on the Roku App.
Visit www.monsterenergy.com for exclusive updates from X Games Salt Lake City 2025, including photos, videos, and contest results as they happen. Follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
For interview or photo requests, contact Kim Dresser.
About Monster Energy
Based 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: [email protected]
SOURCE Monster Energy
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