High flying, adrenaline-pumping action is back with the return of the Asian X Games Qualifier (AXQ). Entering its third year, the AXQ will take place from
7 – 10 December in Phuket, Thailand. The event is marketed and managed by ESPN and ESPN STAR Sports’ (ESS) Event Management Group (EMG).

Following the success of its inaugural sponsorship, Toyota has renewed its presenting sponsorship status for the AXQ for the next two years. In addition, Toyota is supporting the inaugural Asian Xtour.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has also confirmed its support for this year’s AXQ programme.

Asian X Games Qualifier presented by Toyota

Athletes from across Asia and Australia, will compete in aggressive in-line skating (park and vert), wakeboarding, and sport climbing (speed and bouldering) competitions, with exhibitions in skateboarding and bicycle stunt riding.

Up for grabs at the 2000 AXQ will be US$80,000 in prize money, medals and the most coveted prize of all – spots to the US summer X Games, to be held in 2001. Created and owned by ESPN, the summer X Games are held annually in the US and are acknowledged as the pinnacle of extreme sports competition.

All the action from Asia will be broadcast across the globe on the ESPN International networks.

‘We are delighted to announce the continuation of Toyota’s support of the AXQ for the next two years,’ says Mark Reilly, Vice President of ESPN International. ‘We see this as the beginning of a long and healthy partnership.’

Says Richard Young, Vice President of EMG, ‘It’s been three years since we kicked off the first AXQ and as extreme sports grow in popularity we are continuing to improve and expand the premiere event in the region. Everywhere you look there’s a new skate park under construction. It’s great to see communities and the press recognising extreme sports and giving these tremendous athletes the recognition they deserve. After all, this is the future of sport.’

Xpanding across Asia – Introducing the Asian Xtour presented by Toyota

The mighty X is spreading its shadow across new ground, through a series of fresh initiatives.

Designed to bring all the action and excitement of the X Games to fans across Asia, ESPN, ESS and presenting sponsor Toyota have added a new twist to the mix – the 2000 Asian Xtour. Tour stops will be held in Bangkok (12-14 August), Taipei (9-10 September) and Singapore (7-8 October) to select competitors for the 2000 AXQ.

Over the course of the Xtour more than 50 qualifying spots will be awarded to the AXQ. Top level qualifiers will receive all-expenses paid packages to the AXQ, held in Phuket, Thailand.

ESS will also be organising X Games viewing events in the Philippines and Malaysia. Coinciding with the broadcast of the summer X Games in the US, ESS will hold a party for the public. Giant screens will broadcast the X Games and an interactive promotional area will be created to allow more Asians to experience the X Games brand.

Organisers will soon be announcing a further expansion of the X brand in Asia. Stay tuned for more news on how they intend to bring the excitement of the Junior X Games to kids throughout the region.

For further information please contact:

Stephanie Green Chen,
Manager, Corporate Communications,
ESPN STAR Sports
Email: chens@espnstar.com
Tel: (65)488 6134.