Kang Jun-i wins medals at two consecutive X Games events

South Korean national team skateboarder Kang Jun-i, a student at Yeongdeungpo High School in Seoul, wins consecutive medals at the 2026 MoonPay X Games, the world's most prestigious action sports competition. [Korea Roller Sports Federation]

South Korean national team skateboarder Kang Jun-i, a student at Yeongdeungpo High School in Seoul, has again confirmed her standing as a world-class competitor by winning medals at two consecutive 2026 MoonPay X Games events.

Kang competed at the 2026 MoonPay X Games Sacramento, held in Sacramento, California from June 26 to 28, and the 2026 MoonPay X Games Chiba, held in Chiba, Japan on Saturday and Sunday, collecting two gold medals, one silver and one bronze across the two events.

The X Games, launched in 1995, is the world's most prestigious action sports competition, bringing together top athletes in skateboarding, BMX and motocross. The skateboarding events in particular are regarded as the highest level of international competition, drawing Olympic medalists and top-ranked athletes from around the world.

At the Sacramento event, Kang opened her campaign with a bronze medal in the Monster Energy Men's Skateboard Street event and a gold medal in the Monster Energy Men's Skateboard Street Best Trick event.

Kang then raised her level further in Chiba. She took silver in the Monster Energy Men's Skateboard Street final and again claimed the top spot in the Monster Energy Men's Skateboard Street Best Trick, securing back-to-back gold medals in that event across the two competitions.

The results show that Kang can consistently remain in medal contention against the world's best. Her consecutive Best Trick victories are considered particularly significant as an objective measure of her technical mastery at the highest level.

Building on these results, Kang is expected to continue serving as a central figure for South Korean skateboarding at future international competitions and at the Olympics.

Kim Gyeong-seok, president of the Korea Roller Sports Federation, congratulated Kang on her performances at two consecutive X Games. "Consistently winning medals in the Street event and taking back-to-back titles in the Best Trick event is a very meaningful achievement that shows South Korean skateboarding can compete proudly with the world's best," he said.

He added that the federation would spare no effort in supporting athletes through international competition participation, training environment development and the cultivation of promising young talent, so they can perform at their best.

"I hope these results serve as a major source of motivation for expanding the grassroots base of skateboarding in Korea and for young athletes," he said. "We will continue to do our best to further raise the profile of South Korean skateboarding on the international stage."

pooh@heraldcorp.com