The 2023 Converse Ult.X powered by Suzuki and fuelled by Monster Energy did not disappoint with its return to V&A’s Battery Park in Cape Town featuring an array of BMX and Skateboarding action.
Anthony Jeanjean
The Fox BMX event saw athletes from the USA, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, UK, Russia, and more; joining the local competitors. The international contingent dominated the field with Anthony Jeanjean (France) taking the win from Daniel Sandoval (USA) in 2nd and Mike Varga (Canada) in 3rd. Local rider, Vincent Leygonie, was awarded the Local Hero award.
“It’s my first time in SA and first time in Cape Town, and I am really happy with my win,’ said Jeanjean. “It is an amazing country and incredible city, Cape Town. See you next year for sure. “
Daniel Sandoval
Mike Varga
Vincent Leygonie
The BMX Best Trick was won by Russia’s Nikita Isakov with an insane 360 Double Whip to Double Bar Spin.
Nikita Isakov
In the Element Women’s Skate contest, Boipelo Awuah from Kimberly emerged victorious ahead of Bronwyn Shaw and Tamaryn Commins. It was good to see Women’s skateboarding included into this year’s event and so well received.
Boipelo Awuah
“The entire event was awesome, bearing in mind that this was the first female skate division in Ultimate X,” said a very happy Awuah. “I’m hoping to progress a lot more and skate more international competitions, trying to make a name for myself internationally.
Bronwyn Shaw
Tamaryn Commins
In the Volcom Men’s Skate competition, Devandre Gallant took the win from the experienced Khule Ngubane. The Cape Town skater put on a world-class performance against his Durban counterpart to claim victory. Ethan Cains rounded off the podium in 3rd.
Devandre Gallant
“It was an incredible competition with Ultimate X, skating with all the homies,” said Gallant, “Thank you so much to everyone.”
Khule Ngubane
Ethan Cains
The Men’s Best Trick was another exhilarating affair, with Cape Town’s Jean-Marc Johannes winning with a Hard Flip over the double stair set.
“Ultimate X was amazing from start to finish,’ said Johannes. “I did the hard flip in the finals, landed it thankfully in front of all my friends and in front of Cape Town, and I walked away with Best Trick. I’m happy.”
Jean-Marc Johannes
2023 Ult.X Results:
Fox Men’s BMX:
1st Anthony Jeanjean 87.58
2nd Daniel Sandoval 86.20
3rd Mike Varga 85.27
4th Jose Torres 80.54
5th Irek Rizaev 80.15
6th Jeremy Malott 78.47
7th Pat Casey 78.33
8th Brady Baker 72.06
9th Tom van den Bogaard 71.20
10th Aresney Lyubishkin 65.88
11th Nikita Fominov 65.12
Fox Men’s BMX Best Trick:
Nikita Isakov – 360 Double Whip to Double Bar Spin
Element Women’s Skate:
1st Boipelo Davatta 28.65
2nd Bronwyn Shaw 23.52
3rd Tamaryn Commins 15.18
4th Marie Cavanna 13.36
5th Abi Claassen 9,44
Volcom Men’s Skate:
1st Devandre Gallant 146.52
2nd Khule Ngubane 141.63
3rd Ethan Cains 132.25
4th Jean-Marc Johannes 130.81
5th Karl van Antwerp 82.07
6th Brandon Valjalo 79.28
7th Ashton Banwell 75.12
8th Brad Balie 64.63
Volcom Men’s Skate Best Trick:
Jean-Marc Johannes – Hard Flip over the double stair set.
Photos by Eric Palmer and Grant McLachlan.