The 2024 Bloom BMX Award winners are here, and this year has been nothing short of monumental for women’s BMX. We’d like to first extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible sponsors – Vans, Kink BMX, Fit Bike Co., Odyssey BMX, and GT Bicycles – who made this celebration possible.
This year has been a groundbreaking one for women’s BMX, with several history-making moments shaping the sport. From the first-ever women’s BMX event at X Games to the Olympic Qualifying Series leading up to the second BMX Freestyle Olympics, the bar just continues to be raised. Earlier in the year, FISE Montpellier hosted its inaugural women’s BMX street class, and Nitro Circus Junior introduced a girl’s class, giving the next generation a platform to shine.
These events not only highlighted the incredible talent in women’s BMX but also undoubtedly influenced this year’s votes. Here are your 2024 Award Winners along with the top 5 nominees in each category.
2024 Award Winners
PARK RIDER OF THE YEAR
Sasha Pardoe
Perris Benegas
Deng Yawen
Natalya Diehm
Kim Lea Müller
Sasha Pardoe’s 2024 season has been nothing short of extraordinary as this young talent solidifies her position as one of the top riders in women’s BMX. With remarkable consistency and standout performances, Sasha earned a 3rd place finish at FISE Montpellier just before representing GB at the Olympic Qualifying Series. Sasha would later become the 2024 European Champion, a title that underscores her growing dominance on the international stage. On the national scene, Sasha was unstoppable, claiming the title of British National Champion and securing the overall win in the Backyard Jam series. Despite her incredible performance, Sasha’s journey is just beginning! Congratulations to Sasha Pardoe, your 2024 Park Rider of the Year!
RACER OF THE YEAR
Saya Sakakibara
Payton Ridenour
Olivia Armstrong
Manon Veenstra
Alise Willoughby
Saya Sakakibara’s 2024 season is one for the history books, with her crowning achievement being a gold medal performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Adding to her incredible year, Saya claimed two victories at the UCI BMX Racing World Cup stop in Tulsa, OK and before that, she thrilled fans at home with a dominant World Cup win in Australia earlier this year. Saya’s journey to this pinnacle of success has been anything but easy. Overcoming multiple near career-ending injuries and concussions, her resilience, hard work and determination have left us inspired and in awe. She has not only showcased unmatched talent on the track but also the heart and grit of a true champion. Congratulations to Saya Sakakibara, your 2024 Racer of the Year!
FLATLANDER OF THE YEAR
Nina Suzuki
Anna Mondics
Dasha Rabanete
Bri Welch
Kirara Nakagawa
Nina Suzuki has taken the flatland world by storm in 2024, making her mark as one of the most exceptional riders in the discipline. This year, Nina claimed major victories across the globe, starting with a triumphant win at FISE Enoshima in her home country of Japan. She continued her dominance with first-place finishes at FISE Montpellier in France, FISE World Shanghai in China and Flat Ark, showcasing her versatility and mastery on an international stage. Flatland culture has deep roots in Japan, and Nina’s rise to the top is a reflection of her dedication, artistry, and commitment to the sport. Her achievements inspire not only the flatland community but also the next generation of riders. Congratulations to Nina Suzuki, your 2024 Flatlander of the Year!
STREET RIDERS OF THE YEAR
Bethany Hedrick & Linda Grabner TIE
Anahí Valentina
Wibke Vogel
Francina Fernandez
Emma Finnegan
For the first time in the history of the Bloom BMX Awards, we have a tie for Street Rider of the Year – and what a deserving pair of winners! Both Bethany Hedrick and Linda Grabner have made an undeniable impact on the Women’s street scene this year and it showed in your votes. We desperately tried to break the tie but the community spoke, and we’re splitting the award title.
Despite her ability to excel across all terrains, Bethany Hedrick made waves this year with a bold focus on street riding. Her ability to take park tricks and bring them to the streets makes projects like the release of “On the Grind” a standout. “On the Grind” released earlier this year, was her first video part with GT, a project which took nearly a year to film that embodies pure street riding. Bethany also earned a prestigious NORA Cup nomination and secured 2nd place at the inaugural women’s street competition at FISE Montpellier, cementing her as a rising force in Women’s Street.
Linda Grabner was also unstoppable this year, with highlights that include multiple video parts including Fracture “Unity”, Fracture “Visions of Light” and Silent X Doomed in Porto. Let’s not forget being a standout at events like FISE Montpellier, Hammer and Nails Fest, the Cash Up Jam, and Act Jam. She also made history as the first woman to grind the Battle of Hastings rail and played a key role in organizing the first annual Cliché Jam; which led to several additional video projects, including GIRL HOOD.
Together, Bethany and Linda have continued to push boundaries, even teaming up to drop a must-watch game of B.I.K.E on the Source BMX’s YouTube channel. Their shared dedication to street riding and their undeniable influence on the community make them both worthy of this groundbreaking honour. Congratulations to Bethany Hedrick and Linda Grabner, your 2024 Street Riders of the Year!
TRAIL RIDER OF THE YEAR
Teresa Fernández-Miranda
Jesse Gregory
Anahí Valentina
Angie Marino
Nina Buitrago
For the third time, Teresa Fernández-Miranda takes home the Trail Rider of the Year award, and this year, she left no doubt, dominating the votes with her incredible achievements. Despite a packed schedule travelling the globe for the Olympic Qualifying Series, X Games, and O Marisquiño, Teresa still found time to hit the trails, making her mark at legendary spots like Campillo El Cable, La Bassa, and Lloret.
Her passion for trail riding was also prominently featured in GIRL HOOD, where her skills stood out even among her street-riding peers. Teresa’s dedication to the trails goes beyond riding – she’s also a committed digger, earning her the deep respect of the trail community. Her ability to balance a hectic competition schedule while staying true to her trail roots is nothing short of inspiring. Congratulations to Teresa Fernández-Miranda, your 2024 Trail Rider of the Year!
BOWL RIDER OF THE YEAR
Teresa Fernández-Miranda
Perris Benegas
Sarah Nicki
Maca Perez
Jesse Gregory
For the first time, Teresa Fernández-Miranda has claimed the title of Bowl Rider of the Year, sweeping the votes and showcasing her incredible growth as a rider. Known for her fluid style, balsy lines, and technical precision, Teresa took her riding to a whole new level this year. Since summer, her progression has been undeniable, with several jaw-dropping clips going viral on Instagram, Teresa has entered a new era, further solidifying her reputation as one of the most exciting bowl riders in BMX. This milestone win highlights her passion for progression and her ability to continuously push the limits of what’s possible. Congratulations to Teresa Fernández-Miranda, your 2024 Bowl Rider of the Year!
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Alirah Norris
Miharu Ozawa
Indy Krämer
Aubrée Henson
Kayla McCormick
The Rookie of the Year category is always a special one, as it shines a spotlight on the rising stars who are shaping the future of BMX. This year, the award goes to the incredibly talented Alirah Norris from Australia. Alirah made a major mark in 2024 with her international debut at Nitro Circus Junior, where she stood out as the only rider to bravely throw a backflip onto concrete. This spunky, well-mannered, young rider is constantly pushing herself, with every break from school meaning more time spent at the park – taking every opportunity to ride and progress. With coaches like Boyd Hilder and Josh Khoury guiding her journey, Alirah is quickly becoming a dominant force in BMX, leading the charge for the next generation of women riders. We can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next. Congratulations to Alirah Norris, your 2024 Rookie of the Year!
BRAND OF THE YEAR
Vans
GT Bicycles
Mongoose Bikes
Odyssey BMX
FIST
For the fifth time, Vans BMX has claimed the coveted Brand of the Year award, with only a brief interruption in 2020 that clearly served as motivation to dominate every year since. Their unwavering commitment to women’s BMX is undeniable, continuously sponsoring and supporting top athletes across every continent and making them a global leader in the scene. Beyond that, Vans invests heavily in supporting projects within the BMX ecosystem, from backing riders and filmers to funding innovative ideas and events that keep the BMX economy going. With their relentless support, it’s no surprise they’re staying on top. At this rate, we might need to rename this category the “Vans BMX Award” just to give the other brands a fighting chance next year! Congratulations to Vans BMX, your 2024 Brand of the Year!
COMEBACK OF THE YEAR
Perris Benegas
Natalya Diehm
Angie Marino
Linda Grabner
Saya Sakakibara
The Comeback of the Year category is reserved for the rider who has had to overcome a serious setback but inspires us all to keep fighting and working to come back even stronger, and this year, that honour goes to Perris Bengas. After a challenging 2023, where an ACL and meniscus injury left her unsure of her future in BMX, Perris not only made an incredible return but went on to achieve the unthinkable. In 2024, she claimed a Silver Medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, captained her own Battle of Hastings Team, won a NORA Cup for the second time, and earned a Silver Medal at X Games, among many other accomplishments, including a Silver Medal at the Shanghai Olympic Qualifying Series. Who could have imagined such a remarkable turnaround for someone who, just a year ago, was at odds with her future in the sport? Perris’ resilience and relentless pursuit of excellence serve as a powerful reminder to us all to keep fighting, no matter the obstacles. Congratulations to Perris Bengas, your 2024 Comeback of the Year!
BACKER OF THE YEAR
Kelly Rowsell
Beatrice Trang
Cory Coffey
Nina Buitrago
Carley Young
This year’s Backer of the Year award goes to someone who has been an instrumental force in the growth and support of women’s BMX in Australia and New Zealand – Kelly Rowsell! As the founder of YTG BMX, Australia’s premier women’s freestyle BMX community group, Kelly has worked tirelessly to create a space for female riders to thrive. YTG BMX is not just about events, but about building a strong, supportive community of female riders in Australia and New Zealand. Kelly’s dedication to empowering women in action sports is evident in her initiatives, from organizing ride days with A-list brands, to offering lessons with top coaches, all aimed at helping young riders grow and succeed. Through her efforts, Kelly Rowsell has created a lasting impact on the women’s BMX scene, inspiring and empowering the next generation of riders. Congratulations to Kelly Rowsell, your 2024 Backer of the Year!
LENSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Beatrice Trang
Naoki Gaman
Raisa Abal
Teresa Grauten
Chrissy Piper
It’s with great humility and gratitude that I accept the Lenswoman of the Year award. This recognition means more than I can express, especially since I began shooting photos only during the Olympic Qualifying Series. That event exposed me to two critical realizations: first, I discovered my love for photography and found my niche within it. Second, I was confronted with the glaring underrepresentation of women in action sports photography. It’s been the honour of my life to be given the opportunity to shoot at so many events this year, but the events also opened my eyes to how niche BMX photography truly is and how much knowledge it takes to capture the sport in its true essence. While there were only a handful of photographers who truly understood BMX, the vast majority were shooting static moments or unwanted close-ups – leaving much to be desired. This experience has fueled my determination to not only elevate my own craft but also support the next generation of women behind the lens, like our yearly photo contest with support from partners like Sony Alpha Female. Thank you all for this recognition, and voting me as your 2024 Lenswoman of the year.
Thank you for voting, see you this time, next year.
