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 Event Spotlight:No More Second Fiddle for Takeshi Third Time Indeed the Charm for Yasutoko Monday, August 19, 2002 By Maria Elles Scott After having to settle for second place in the Aggressive In-Line Vert finals in each of the previous two X Games, Takeshi Yasutoko earned his first-ever gold medal with a pair of sparkling runs during Monday's Vert final. Yasutoko continued his high-flying style by soaring 14-plus feet in the air throughout the competition, landing Flat Spins, Backside Disaster Rails and many others on his way to a high score of 97.00. His brother, Eito, was a close second with a score of 93.75 - it was his fourth medal at the X Games (two gold, silver, bronze). Marc Englehart, of nearby Lansdale, Pa. Won his first-ever X Games medal with a score of 89.75 for a bronze. |
 Event Spotlight:Metzger, Hart Steal Show with the Flip Hart Lands Backflip to Earn Silver, Deegan Captures Bronze Monday, August 19, 2002 By Maria Elles Scott Mike "The Godfather" Metzger started a new era in Freestyle Moto X, while Carey Hart finished what he started a year earlier during the Big Air competition to end X Games VIII in Philadelphia on Monday evening in front of a jam-packed crowd at the First Union Center. Metzger landed a Backflip off the ramp, called The Godfather, in each of his three attempts, including a No-Handed Lander to end the event and seal the gold medal with a score of 95.00. Metzger was crowned best overall X Games athlete, winning a Fender guitar, following gold-medal performances in Freestyle, Big Air and a silver in Sunday's Step Up competition. |
 Event Spotlight:Allan Cooke Wins First Bike Stunt Dirt Championship, Edging Former Champ Ryan Nyquist Top Three Finishers All Withing One Point of Each Other Friday, August 16, 2002 By Maria Elles Scott Fullerton, Calif., native Allan Cooke (90.47) edged former champion Ryan Nyquist (89.53) to win his first X Games Bicycle Stunt Dirt championship this afternoon at the First Union Center Complex. Chris Doyle finished third with 89.47 points. After finishing just out of medal contention at X Games VII last summer, Cooke won this Thursday's preliminary competition and led for the entire final. "It wasn't easy by any means," said the 20-year-old Cooke. "It's the first time I've ever beaten Ryan for the gold. I can't believe it. He's an amazing." |
 Event Spotlight:Third Time's the Charm for Pierre-Luc Gagnon in the Skateboard Vert Finals Gagnon Clinches First Title with his "Dream Run" Friday, August 16, 2002 By Maureen C. Quilter After finishing second two years ago and sitting out last year's X Games with a broken right wrist, Montreal's Pierre-Luc Gagnon finally struck gold in the Skateboard Vert finals tonight at the First Union Complex. Gagnon ran away with the competition, recording a 96.75 on his second run to outdistance last year's champion Brazilian Bob Burnquist, who turned in a 90.00 in his final session for second place, and Danish-born Rune Glifberg, who was third with a 89.50 in his second run. |
| Event Spotlight: 60-Foot "X" Marks Spot in Philadelphia Skyline Logos Painted on Courses as Preparations Continue For ESPN's X Games at the First Union Complex August 15-19 Tuesday, August 13, 2002 By Maureen C. Quilter Two 60-foot tall "X"s are added to the Philadelphia skyline as preparations continue for X Games VIII at the First Union Complex from Thursday, August 15 through Monday, August 19. The X's will be placed on the speed climbing wall and can be seen from I-76 overpass at Broad Street. Also, painters will begin to paint X Games logos on the Vert ramps and bike dirt ramps as work continues to ready the First Union Complex for the X Games. |
 Event Spotlight:Mirra Dominates Bike Stunt Vert Competition 'Miracle Boy' Captures 13th Career X Medal As Games Draw To A Close Wednesday, August 22, 2001 By Maria Elles PHILADELPHIA * Dave Mirra saved his best for last. In the final event of the 2001 ESPN X Games, the Greenville, N.C. resident completed a dazzling final run of 95.00 to secure the gold medal in the Bicycle Stunt Vert competition. |
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