The opening day of MoonPay X Games Chiba 2026 delivered world-class action as more than 80 elite athletes from 16 countries battled for medals at Makuhari Messe in Japan. Returning to Chiba after the 2025 edition was held in Osaka, the event marks the second stop of the inaugural MoonPay X Games League (XGL) season.
After an exciting first day featuring eight medal events across BMX, skateboarding and Moto X, X Games Club (XC) Tokyo strengthened its lead in the overall XGL standings with 1,450 points. XC New York sits second on 1,310 points, narrowly ahead of XC São Paulo (1,300), while XC Los Angeles remains within striking distance on 1,150 points.
Garrett Reynolds Extends His Legendary Legacy
The biggest milestone of the day came in the Monster Energy Men’s BMX Street final, where Garrett Reynolds (XC São Paulo) claimed an incredible 18th X Games gold medal.
Reynolds dominated from the opening run with a series of technically demanding tricks, including a pegs-to-over 360 and an inward 180 to backward grind, further cementing his reputation as the greatest BMX Street rider in X Games history.
The victory also elevated his career tally to 26 X Games medals and extended his remarkable streak to 19 consecutive BMX Street medals.
Jordan Godwin earned silver for his fourth straight BMX Street podium, while Devon Smillie secured bronze to claim his eighth career X Games medal.
Miharu Ozawa Continues Dream Debut
Just one week after making history in Sacramento, 16-year-old Miharu Ozawa (XC Tokyo) once again stunned the BMX world by defeating Olympic silver medallist Hannah Roberts in the Stake Women’s BMX Park final.
Ozawa sealed victory with a spectacular backflip tailwhip during her final run to edge Roberts in another thrilling contest. Roberts, despite battling both a shoulder injury and illness, produced another outstanding performance for silver.
Germany’s Kim Mueller completed the podium with bronze.
Chloe Covell Wins Fifth Gold
Australian sensation Chloe Covell (XC New York) overcame early frustration to dominate the Monster Energy Women’s Skateboard Street competition.
After falling during her opening run and receiving a rerun due to a filming interruption, Covell delivered a superb final score of 93.33 to capture her fifth X Games gold medal.
Japanese Olympic champion Coco Yoshizawa delighted the home crowd with silver, while 14-year-old Ibuki Matsumoto added another bronze medal to her growing collection.
Home Hero Hasegawa Claims Vert Gold
Fifteen-year-old Mizuho Hasegawa (XC Tokyo) thrilled Japanese fans by winning the MoonPay Women’s Skateboard Vert title.
After taking silver in Sacramento, Hasegawa reversed the result by defeating 11-year-old Mia Kretzer with a breathtaking routine featuring multiple 540s and her signature fakie-to-fakie 540.
Juno Matsuoka rounded out the podium with bronze.
Juni Kang Makes More History
South Korea‘s Juni Kang successfully defended his Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street Best Trick title following his breakthrough victory in Sacramento.
Kang landed two never-before-seen tricks during competition, including a switch heelflip backside tailslide to backside bigspin out, earning another historic gold medal.
Brazil’s Filipe Mota finished second, while Japan’s Ginwoo Onodera secured bronze.
Marcus Christopher Tops BMX Park
American rider Marcus Christopher (XC Los Angeles) powered his way to gold in the Stake Men’s BMX Park competition.
His aggressive run featured massive triple downside tailwhips and a flair tuck no-hander to downwhip, earning his second career X Games gold.
Logan Martin continued his remarkable consistency with silver, while Japan’s Rim Nakamura delighted local fans by claiming bronze.
Eleven-Year-Old Ema Kawakami Makes History
One of the most memorable moments of the day came in the MoonPay Men’s Skateboard Vert final.
Just 11 years old, Ema Kawakami became the youngest male gold medallist in X Games history after defeating defending champion Gui Khury.
Kawakami’s routine included back-to-back 720s and ended Khury’s impressive four-event winning streak.
Moto Shibata completed an all-star podium with bronze.
Rob Adelberg Dominates Moto X Best Trick
Australian veteran Rob Adelberg once again proved why he is one of Moto X’s greatest competitors by capturing his seventh Moto X Best Trick gold medal and 11th X Games gold overall.
His frontflip Shaolin seat grab barhop earned the judges’ highest marks and made him the most decorated Moto X athlete in X Games history.
Spain’s Jose Canosa impressed with silver in his X Games debut, while fellow Australian Ben Richards secured bronze for his fourth consecutive Moto X Best Trick medal.
Sunday Finale Still to Come
MoonPay X Games Chiba 2026 concludes on Sunday with another packed programme featuring the Men’s Skateboard Park Final, Women’s Skateboard Park Final, Men’s Skateboard Street, Dave Mirra BMX Park Best Trick, Men’s and Women’s Vert Best Trick contests, Women’s Skateboard Street Best Trick and a spectacular Moto X demonstration.
With championship points, history and XGL standings all on the line, the final day promises another unforgettable showcase of the world’s best action sports athletes.
