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X Games Surpass Expectations
2000 ASIAN X GAMES QUALIFIER PRESENTED BY TOYOTA
PHUKET, Sunday 10 DECEMBER 2000 -
The Asia Pacific region's best Xtreme athletes have been decided in the final day of the 2000 Asian X Games Qualifier, presented by TOYOTA. The laws of gravity were defied as the competitors took to the air on the park course, vert ramp and climbing walls. Even the spectators got the chance to fly, sailing in the X Games balloon for a bird's eye view of the exhilarating action around the field.
SKATEBOARDING
Malaysian "Pa'din" Ahmad Fadzil Bin Musa was the king of cool in the skateboard school this morning, winning Gold in the park event ahead of Australia's Darren Kaehne and Johary Fitry Khairuddin of Malaysia. Singaporean AQX veterans, Sulaiman "Man Toyol" Ahmed and Mohd Taufik Abdul Latif were impressed with this year's course but said the midday heat was their biggest challenge. "We're all looking forward to the time when skateboarding becomes a qualifying event." Skateboarding was an exhibition only event, with no qualification spot up for grabs.
BICYCLE STUNT
Throughout the Asian X Games Qualifier, there has been one bike stunt rider who has truly excelled. Pro rider Koji Kraft has had the crowd on its feet, watching his incredible performances on the park course and vert ramp where he continues to astound with perfect tailwhips, no hand, no footers, flips and twists, all executed with style and precision. He certainly inspired the riders in today's Bike Stunt Park Exhibition, which was dominated by Chinese Taipei athletes - Liao Wu Hsiung and Chen Pang Chung taking Gold and Bronze, with Korea's Park Jong Beom claiming the Silver. Like skateboarding, bicycle stunt was an exhibition only, with no qualification spot up for grabs.
AGGRESSIVE IN-LINE SKATING
The Vert Competition proved an awesome finale to the Asian X Games Qualifier. First Australian Sam Fogarty, then Japan's Takeshi Yasutoko, then Australian Shane Yost, and finally Eito Yasutoko kept going bigger and higher than the athlete before, pushing for something a little better and pulling out all their tricks to win this event. Shane's incredible run saw him retain his title ahead of Eito and fellow Aussie, Sam Fogarty. Takeshi taking fourth place.
As expected, it was the Yasatoko brothers Eito and Takeshi of Japan who outperformed the other pairs in the Doubles. No one was able to match their height or flawless execution on the ramp, as they displayed perfect symmetry and timing to claim Gold yet again.
SPORT CLIMBING
It was a case of blink and you miss it during the finals of the Speed Competition, with athletes scaling the 12metre high walls in less than 10 seconds. Indonesia dominated both the Men's and Women's event. Etti Hendrawati successfully defended her 1999 Women's Speed Climber title with a time of 11.49 seconds. Halfway up the wall, she was convinced she'd lost the race, when team-mate Evi Neliwati missed a hold, giving Etti the break she needed. Evi and Yu Yun Yuniar (also from Indonesia) took Silver and Bronze. In the Men's event, it took Toni Firmansyah just 7.49 seconds to win Gold. The twenty year old Indonesian didn't believe he could win, despite assurances from his coach and it was only when he reached the top ahead of ahead of team-mate Ronald Novar Mamarimbing that he realised he had won. Nur Rohman Rosyid, last year's winner took Third place.
Sports Organiser, Jim Waugh says speed climbing requires different skills. " Speed climbers need to have an explosive, dynamic strength to power them up the wall, whereas in bouldering, the need is for more muscle endurance."
Each of these winners qualifies for the 2001 Summer X Games in Philadelphia, USA to be held next August and share in $80,000 US in prize money.
SPORT CLIMBING SPEED - WOMEN - Etti Hendrawati, Indonesia
SPORT CLIMBING SPEED - MEN - Toni Firmansyah, Indoesia
AGGRESSIVE IN-LINE SKATING - PARK - Ken Kitada, Japan
AGGRESSIVE IN-LINE SKATING - VERT - Shane Yost, Australia
AGGRESSIVE IN-LINE SKATING - VERT DOUBLES -Takeshi and Eito Yasutoko, Japan
WAKEBOARDING - Wayne Mawer, Australia
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