Taka Higashino wins Moto X Freestyle.It took six years and one never-before landed trick, but it was well worth the wait and effort as Japan's Taka Higashino took home the first X Games gold medal of his career Thursday night at the STAPLES Center."This is my last competition, I'm retiring now that I have the gold," Higashino said jokingly. "Now I'm looking forward to getting my green card on Saturday." Higashino pulled the ace out of his sleeve early on, opening up his first run with a Rock Solid backflip, a trick that had yet to be landed in competition, not to mention one that most believed he would save for Moto X Best Trick on Friday where he'll be looking to land back on the podium after finishing with a bronze in the event in 2010. Following Higashino with the silver was Levi Sherwood who made his return to X Games after being unable to compete in 2011 due to injury. His finish marked the second Moto X Freestyle silver of Sherwood's career, the first he earned in 2010. And, with tricks like a Superman Indian air backflip, an aired-out ruler, and a cordova flip, Javier Villegas earned the bronze medal to distinguish himself as the first Chilean to ever medal at X Games. "First time, first medal. Let's do it again next year, but better," Villegas said. Moto X Freestyle gives riders two shots at a course full of both metal and dirt jumps with their best scores counted.
|