In a stunning display of resilience and skill, American BMX star Hannah Roberts rebounded from her disappointing eighth place finish at the Paris Olympics to claim an unprecedented fifth consecutive BMX Freestyle World Championship title this weekend in Abu Dhabi. The 22-year-old phenom reminded the world why she remains the undisputed queen of her sport.
Roberts Responds to Olympic Heartbreak in Emphatic Fashion
Roberts arrived in Abu Dhabi with a point to prove after a shocking early exit in the Olympic finals dashed her dreams of gold in Paris. But rather than let the disappointment define her, the young American responded like a true champion.
No matter what, I’m just stoked to be able to be doing this. It’s a dream come true. Obviously the goal is to win the gold medal at the Olympics. But at the same time, it doesn’t need to happen.
I have a very accomplished career at 22, and I’m just looking at continuing to get better no matter what.
– Hannah Roberts on staying positive after Paris
That positive mindset propelled Roberts to one of the most dominant performances of her young career. Her first run score of 95.70 set a bar that proved unreachable for the rest of the field, with her “backup” second run of 94.58 still outscoring silver medalist Sun Sibei of China.
Olympic Champion Martin Reclaims Men’s Title
On the men’s side, reigning Olympic champion Logan Martin of Australia secured his third career world title with a blistering second run that earned a 94.30. The win marked a return to the top of the podium for Martin, who settled for bronze at the 2022 world championships in the UAE.
Argentina’s José Torres Gil rode a strong first run to silver with a 91.60, while American Justin Dowell’s 90.74 was good for bronze. The podium finishes represented redemption for both Martin and Dowell after failing to medal in Paris.
BMX Freestyle’s Elite Cement Their Legacies
- Hannah Roberts extends record for most freestyle world titles
- Roberts has now won 6 of the 7 world championships since the discipline’s 2017 debut
- Logan Martin adds 3rd world title to go with his Olympic gold
The world championship triumphs further solidify Roberts and Martin’s places among the greatest BMX freestyle riders in history. While both fell short of expectations in Paris, their ability to rebound and reassert their dominance speaks to the championship mettle that has defined their groundbreaking careers.
Eyes on LA 2028 After Reestablishing Supremacy
For Roberts especially, reclaiming her world title could provide the spark she needs to finally achieve her Olympic dreams. After taking silver as a teenager in Tokyo and suffering bitter disappointment in Paris, the 22-year-old icon has her sights firmly set on the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
This win just makes me even more motivated to keep working hard and improving. LA 2028 can’t come soon enough – I’ll be ready to go for that gold medal again on the biggest stage.
– Hannah Roberts looking ahead to her third Olympic appearance
If Roberts and Martin can maintain their winning form, they will be among the top contenders to etch their names into the Olympic history books once again when BMX freestyle takes center stage in Los Angeles. For now, the BMX superstars will savor their returns to the top of the world championship podium – and start plotting their paths to more glory.
