Australian BMX Freestyle Champion Nick Cooper Praises Taupo

Australian BMX freestyle champion, Nick Cooper is full of praise for Taupo.

Nick Cooper is in New Zealand to compete in the Cyclemania J@M competition this Friday, which he hopes to win, saying that Australia has the best BMX freestyle riders in the world.

However, in his hometown, Beenleigh Queensland, he says the activity that he’s passionate about is at best described as a fringe sport and is often seen as a lifestyle hobby.

He says that Taupo’s acknowledgement of BMX freestyler Jed Mildon, against all other key sports, is unlikely to happen at home.

Jed Mildon was named Taupo ‘Sportsman of the Year’ at the Youthtown Taupo District Sports Awards last week (13 November).

Both 23 year-olds are passionate about BMX and freestyle in particular. The men have been competing against each other for more than five years, and while the prize money and sponsorship deals are appealing, that’s definitely not the only reason the pair travel and compete on the international circuit.

“I’m happy in life as long as I’ve got my bike and somewhere to sleep,” says Nick Cooper. “And I want to help mould the sport as well as see people involved in it get the recognition they deserve as skilled athletes.”

Nick Cooper isn’t aiming for a rich lifestyle. A well known Australian clothing manufacturer recently created a signature jean in his name. Nick says he intends to donate his royalty cheque to the Australian Cancer Foundation. Last year he raised A$3,500 to help bush fire victims.

Nick Coooper and Jed Mildon will come head-to-head in Friday’s BMX freestyle competition which kicks off at 4pm in Taupo.