Nitro World Games Wales: 2020 organizers have revealed the first wave of athletes that will vie for glory at the preeminent action sports competition, coming to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for Bank Holiday weekend on the 23rd and 24th of May. Selected by a panel of industry experts, this elite group – hailing from four continents – has been invited directly to the Semi-Finals in BMX Best Trick, BMX Triple Hit, Skate Vert and Scooter Best Trick.
Competitors include Ryan Williams, looking to defend his crown in both BMX Best Trick and Scooter Best Trick, Elliot Sloan, who aims to add to his trophy case when he takes on reigning Skate Vert winner Moto Shibata and the explosive Kyle Baldock who is seeking his first BMX Triple Hit win. Additional athletes will seek to advance through qualification rounds and, revving up the competition even more, the first set of FMX semifinalists is scheduled to be revealed soon.
BMX Best Trick:
Australia’s Ryan Williams, a two-time winner in this event and considered by none other than Travis Pastrana as, “hands down, the best action sports athlete alive today,” faces a tough challenge from fellow countrymen Brandon Loupos and Jaie Toohey, as well as the USA’s James Foster and Zack Warden and Poland’s Dawid Godizek.
BMX Triple Hit:
Dawid Godziek and Brandon Loupos will display their versatility by pulling double duty on the triple ramp, while Kyle Baldock from Australia and Pat Casey, Justin Dowell and Daniel Sandoval from the USA will showcase top-flight skills of their own. Each has innovative and highly technical tricks in their arsenal, such as Casey’s backflip decade and Sandoval’sdouble tailwhip 720.
Skate Vert:
After topping the podium, Japan’s Moto Shibata impressed Tony Hawk with his, “ridiculous tricks… transcending generations.” In order to keep the top spot, though, Shibata must hold off a quartet of American challengers, including Elliot Sloan (who already possesses two Nitro World Games Best Trick titles), Mitchie Brusco (owner of skate’s first 1260), plus fast-rising Clay Kreiner and the legendary Bucky Lasek.
Scooter Best Trick:
Ryan Williams, the first athlete to take home Nitro World Games trophies in two different disciplines, will aim for a three-peat here. But Richard Zelinka from the Czech Republic, who made the podium in 2018, along with Tyler Chaffin and Chris Farris from the USA and Will Barlow and Jeremy Merrin from Australia, have other ideas.
Watch It Live:
Nitro World Games Wales: 2020 kicks off on Saturday, 23 May with Semi-Finals for all sport disciplines. On Sunday, 24 May the action heats up even more when the top athletes who survive Semi-Finals battle it out in the Finals. On both days, gates will open to the public at 1:00pm with competition getting under way at 2:30pm. Go here for a full event schedule (please note that the event schedule and list of final competitors is subject to change)
With weekend ticket packages starting at £45, plus single day admission available for just £25, Nitro World Games offers fans the chance to see the best in action sports, all at a great price (final ticket prices also include additional charges and fees) Family Tickets and VIP offerings with exclusive merch bundles are also available. Go to nitroworldgames.com to purchase.
