Lockhart’s Jackson Strong became the most dominant rider in Moto X Best Trick History after winning at the X Games at Chiba, Japan, last month.

This marked the 67th edition of X Games since the contest’s inception in 1995.

For three action-packed days, the action sports world was focused on ZOZO Marine Stadium on Tokyo Bay, with a total capacity of 30,000 spectators. More than 110 athletes from 20 countries competed for a total of 33 medals in 11 events across three sports.

With only two attempts to put down the highest-scoring trick in Moto X Best Trick, 31-year-old Strong faced massive heat from fellow Australian Rob Adelberg but came into the session with a new trick up his sleeve: A perfect untucked no-hander front flip – spinning forward through the air with hands entirely off the handlebar.

This earned him 96.33 points on Run two and cemented his win in the highly progressive final. This marked the first time that motocross was contested as a full medal event at X Games Chiba after being showcased as a demo event the previous year.

“Everyone’s been riding amazing tonight. I’m glad I was able to get the trick I’ve been practising. Thanks to Japan for having us, it’s been an amazing time and another X Games in the books,” said Strong upon winning Moto X Best Trick at X Games Chiba 2023.

With seven X Games gold medals in the discipline, ‘Jacko’ is now the most successful Moto X Best Trick competitor in X Games history. He is also tied for most gold in a single Moto X discipline with Ronnie Renner and Travis Pastrana.

Strong relied on fron tflip variations to win all seven gold medals and now owns 14 X Games medals (seven gold, four silver, three bronze).

“Everyone was riding amazing at the event. I’m glad I was able to get the trick I’ve been practising. It was an amazing time.” Jackson “Jacko” hails from Lockhart where he learned how to ride dirt bikes on his family’s property at the young age of five years old.

He joined the Crusty Demons at 13 and has been killing the sport ever since.

His fearless style brings danger and innovation to freestyle motocross and has been described as the ultimate daredevil who is pushing motorsports into whole new levels.

He has even taken his freestyle riding to the snow, riding snow bikes – crossing his freestyle riding roots with snow sports.

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 1 June 2023.