The 2025 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup ended in Sakai, Japan, where the overall winners were crowned. The third and final stop of the series – after Montpellier in France, and Shanghai in China – took place at the city’s Urban Sports Park, the new home of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics BMX Park.
Park Men: Jeanjean takes the overall
The overall title in BMX Park Men came down to a battle between Justin Dowell (USA), Anthony Jeanjean (FRA), and local favourite Rim Nakamura (JPN). All three advanced through qualifying and the semi-final, meeting once more in the final round to decide who would lift the #1 trophy. With big tricks thrown from the outset, it was clear that securing a podium spot at the final UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup round of the year would be no easy task.
Dowell crashed on the step-down spine, taking him out of the competition and the title hunt. He had to be content with 12th place. Jeanjean delivered a solid first run but was overtaken in the rankings by the British pair of Jordan Clark and Jude Jones, originally known for their skills on the scooter, who have emerged as serious Park contenders. With Jones claiming victory in Sakai, a dream came true for the Brit. Clark, who had placed second at the Scootering World Championships in Sakai earlier in the week, also came second in BMX Freestyle Park on Sunday. Nick Bruce (USA) put down an exceptional run to finish third.
What about the home favourite? As the top qualifier from the semi-final, Nakamura had the advantage of riding last in the final and knowing exactly what was required to win. The former UCI World Champion (2022) went all-out, pushing his biggest tricks in front of an enthusiastic crowd. But he was unable to surpass the scores of the day’s best, finishing sixth behind Jones, Clark, Bruce, Jeanjean and Australian Alec Danelutti.
With his fourth place, Anthony Jeanjean wins the overall UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup title for Park.
Park Women: Honours for Ozawa
Japan celebrated major success in Women’s Park, with both Mio Yoshida and Miharu Ozawa claiming podium positions. Reaching the podium (2nd) at just 15 years old is a remarkable achievement for Yoshida, while Ozawa, who won in Sakai, is only a year older! It was an unforgettable moment for the young winner, her family, and her fans as the Japanese national anthem rang out.
Australia’s Natalya Diehm finished third, earning her third position overall in the 2025 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup standings for Park. Germany’s Kim Lea Müller (4th in Sakai) capped a stellar season in which she won the European title and finished second overall for the season.
Flatland Men: Katagiri brothers shine, while Shoji takes the overall
Japan has been developing top BMX Freestyle Flatland riders for decades and enjoys deep grassroots support, with thriving Flatland schools across many cities. Young talent is identified early, nurtured, coached, and by the time these riders appear at a UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup, their level is one that many others can only aspire to.
Among the international finalists in Sakai were Varo Hernández (ESP) and Dustyn Alt (GER), who finished sixth and seventh respectively. But the top places went to Japan: 2023 UCI World Champion Yu Shoji delivered a strong performance but narrowly missed the podium (fourth), in front of Takatora Hishikawa. Youngster Ren Oshima finished third, while the Katagiri brothers stole the show. Yu, the 2025 UCI World Champion, won the final stop of the year, with his brother Ryo completing the family triumph by placing second. France’s Julien Baran secured third overall for the season, while Yu claimed second and the consistent Yu Shoji earned the #1 trophy.
Flatland Women: Japanese 1-2-3
It was also an all-Japanese podium in the Women’s Flatland competition. Karin Hommura delivered a clean and confident run to take the win, with Ayuna Miyashima second and Nina Suzuki in third.
In the overall 2025 standings, Sona Yoshimura, who only managed 5th in the final round, earned top spot, followed by Miyashima in second and Hommura third.