Sydney’s Brandon Loupos chasing Olympic gold after being crowned world BMX Freestyle Park champion
He bounced back from a crash to become BMX world champion and now Brandon Loupos has set his sights on Olympic glory.
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Fresh off recording the highest score in BMX history, Australian freestyler Brandon Loupos says he’ll only settle for gold at next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
Loupos had the crowd at the World Championships in China on their feet over the weekend when he received an impressive 93.20 score from the judges.
His achievement was made more special given he crashed out during his first run to qualify in sixth position.
But when the big moment arrived, Loupos delivered with a special array of tricks, including a double backflip and a 1080 (three 360-degree rotations).
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Remarkably, five riders had chances to beat his mark but the Sydneysider held on to be crowned World Champion.
“I didn’t think I’d win but I’m so thankful that I did,” said 26-year-old Loupos, who started riding BMX when he was 10.
“I got pretty scared and there were a lot of nerves and doubt, especially when I crashed on my first run, but I just had to focus.
“It is all about your mindset, forgetting about all the bad thoughts and doing my best to put that fall behind me.
“Thankfully you get two chances, which is good in our sport.”
In a further boost for Australia, fellow compatriot Logan Martin finished second at the World Championships in China.
Loupos now has his sights set on forming a potent combination with Martin in the maiden BMX freestyle event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
He was confident when asked about the pair’s chances of success in Japan next July and August.
“99 per cent,” he declared. “That one per cent would be America but we have a good chance.
“Logan is now in the race to help Australia again more points.
“That is really comforting knowing that he will be there as a teammate.
“He is as hungry as me. We are the Dream Team and we will be working hard to win.”