No More Second Fiddle for Takeshi

Monday, August 19, 2002

By Maria Elles Scott
XGames Correspondent

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.

"I thought I wasn't even going to get a Top 5 because of the great competition. I was better than I thought even though I didn't try the trick I wanted to do," said Englehart, who was itching to complete a 1,440.

"I tried it but I sketched out, but it turned out better for me that I didn't do it," Englehart continued. "I love the X Games. I love coming to the stadium. The crowd was loud and vibrant. I was really psyched this year."

Kutztown's Matt Lindenmuth attempted the much-publicized Triple Lindy (three backflips) 10-15 times but was unable to complete the trick. Even after the competition was over and the medals had been handed out, Lindenmuth was still on the ramp trying to stick the flip.

The X Games showcases 300 of the world's best action sports athletes competing in a variety of sports events for medals and more than $1 million in total prize money. In its first year as X Games host, Philadelphia drew 235,000 spectators during X Games VII, August 17-22, 2001.

ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports will combine to televise more than 25 original hours of X Games VIII coverage starting August 17, while ESPN International will distribute the Games worldwide. In addition, EXPN.com, the year-round home for action sports and culture, will offer extensive event coverage, including streaming video from the X Games.

Final Results - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
RANK	BIB #	NAME	HOMETOWN	SCORE
1	318	Takeshi Yasutoko	Osaka, JPN	97.00
2	317	Eito Yasutoko	Osaka, JPN	93.75
3	298	Marc Englehart	Lansdale, Pa.	89.75
4	306	Rui Kitamura	Kawanishi, JPN	85.75
5	304	Beni Huber	Oftringen, SUI	82.50
6	324	Mike Budnik	Santa Ana, Calif.	80.75
7	311	Nel Martin	Canovellas, ESP	78.00
8	319	Shane Yost	Launceston, AUS	76.76
9	308	Matt Lindenmuth	Kutztown, Pa.	55.75
10	305	Taig Khris	Redondo Beach, Calif.	DNS