Gravity Games 2005: A Historic Showdown at FDR Skatepark
The Gravity Games, a premier multi-sport competition, originated in Providence, Rhode Island, and ran from 1999 to 2006 with both Winter and Summer editions. Known for its diverse range of extreme sports, the event featured aggressive inline skating, skateboarding, freestyle motocross, BMX freestyle, and snowboarding.
In 2005, the Gravity Games made a significant stop at Philadelphia’s iconic FDR Skatepark. This year was particularly notable for its unique skateboarding contest format, which invited non-sponsored and local skaters from the FDR area to compete alongside established professionals – This reminds me of Battle at the Berrics Pros vs Joes. This inclusive approach not only elevated the competition but also highlighted the raw talent within the local skating community.
Gravity Games, often seen as NBC’s counterpart to ESPN’s X-Games, brought together top athletes from around the globe. The 2005 event at FDR Skatepark was no exception, featuring a lineup of well-known skaters from different parts of the world.
The 2005 Gravity Games at FDR saw an impressive roster of professional skateboarders, including:
These pros faced off against talented FDR local skaters, some of whom were:
- Bam Margera
- Carlos Baiza
- Jesse Gullings
- Brad Hoffman
- Steve Fass
The skateboarding contest at the Gravity Games 2005 concluded with remarkable performances from both pros and locals. Here are the top results:
- Omar Hassan – 1st Place
- Kyle Berard – 2nd Place
- Benji Galloway – 3rd Place
- Steve Fass – 4th Place
- Ben Krahn – 5th Place
- Julien Benoliel – 6th Place
- Rune Glifberg – 10th Place
- Jesse Gullings – 11th Place
The 2005 Gravity Games at FDR Skatepark will be remembered not just for the high-caliber performances, but for its community spirit and the platform it provided to local skaters. By allowing non-sponsored and local talents to compete on the same stage as professional athletes, the Gravity Games showcased the essence of skateboarding culture: inclusivity, passion, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Next week, FDR will be hosting this year’s Queen of The Park and another exciting event.
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