Belgian freestyle motocross (FMX) rider Julien Vanstippen has been crowned King of the Whip for a fourth time at Africa’s premier FMX competition on Saturday.
Vanstippen previously ruled the contest from 2022-2024 before American Wyatt Fontenot snatched the title in 2025.
Over 20 of the best international and local freestyle motocross and motocross riders took to the ramps to compete in the Best Whip* and two Best Trick competitions in front of a sold-out crowd at Montecasino, Johannesburg, on Saturday. Up for grabs was a share of the R250 000,00 cash prize and various prizes from the official event partners, including Monster Energy.
Riders included 4x X-Games medalist Vanstippen (Belgium), crowd favourite Genki “Wanky” Watanabe (Japan), Spanish veteran Edgar Torronteras, and Dallan Goldman (South Africa).
The Best Whip competition began with riders going head-to-head in four qualifying rounds. Judges looked for amplitude, style, and variation when deciding which of the 14 riders would qualify for the semifinals. Six more riders were eliminated in the semifinals, leaving only eight to compete in the final round.
Before the King of the Whip could be crowned, the riders had a chance to show off their freestyle tricks in the Best Trick Right Side Up and Upside Down competitions. In the Best Trick Right Side Up competition, each rider had two chances to take to the ramps and pull off the best trick possible. Watanabe claimed victory and was joined on the podium by Goldman in second and Torronteras in third.
PINYOL MESMERISED THE CROWD
In a surprising move Spain’s Marc Pinyol, no stranger to making FMX history, then mesmerised the sold-out crowd with a jaw-dropping, terrifying, front flip jump, performed for the first time on African soil.
For the Best Trick Upside Down, the riders had three jumps each to stake their claim. Japan’s Takayuki "Taka" Higashino who was making his King of the Whip debut took the top honours. Rounding out the podium was Vanstippen, who slotted into second place and Goldman, who grabbed third.
Goldman also claimed the Ricky Raaff award which honours the late South African motocross champion who tragically lost his life during a regional championship race in July 2025 and is presented to a rider who
demonstrates exceptional heart, grit, resilience, and a never-give-up determination throughout the competition.
“Honestly, I’m on top of the world right now. I’ve been having some of the roughest times of my life lately and the way I’m feeling right now, I can’t describe it. I’m just so happy and grateful that I got to be here and have this opportunity and wow, I’m speechless”, says Goldman.
After the Best Trick contest, it was time for the evening’s premier event: The Best Whip final saw the riders pull out all the stops to vye for the title of King of the Whip. Vanstippen ultimately emerged as the 2026 winner, Tom Parsons followed him in second and Watanabe claimed the final place on the podium.
‘I’M SUPER STOKED’
Vanstippen, delighted to reclaim the crown, commented: “I’m super stoked. When I saw the line-up coming up to this event I was like okay, that’s gonna be a tough one. It’s like basically all the best athletes and I’ve been competing with them for a while so I know the level is gonna be so high. I can’t complain, I’m back on the top, so I’m super stoked. Monster Energy always helps put on such a great event.”
FINAL RESULTS:
Best Whip
1. Julien Vanstippen (Belgium)
2. Tom Parsons (USA)
3. Genki “Wanky” Watanabe (Japan)
Best Trick Right Side Up
1. Genki “Wanky” Watanabe (Japan)
2. Dallan Goldman (South Africa)
3. Edgar Torronteras (Spain)
Best Trick Upside Down
1. Takayuki "Taka" Higashino (Japan)
2. Julien Vanstippen (Belgium
3. Dallan Goldman (South Africa)