March 22–23 marked the electrifying two-day 2025 PHX AM skateboarding competition — one of the most highly anticipated amateur skateboarding events in the country.
Now in its 23rd year, the annual competition was founded by Cowtown Skateboards and has grown into a major event, with sponsorships from brands like Red Bull, Thrasher Magazine and Yeti.
One of the most prominent skateboarders at this year’s competition was 16-year-old Liz Akama of Japan, who won a silver medal in women’s street skateboarding at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Her performance was part of only the second time skateboarding was included in the Olympic Games, following its debut in 2021 after years of advocacy from the skateboarding community.
Despite temperatures nearing 90 degrees, thousands of spectators packed Desert West Skate Park — PHX AM’s longtime venue — to watch the event’s finale.
Skateboarders from around the world travel to Phoenix to compete, and this year’s lineup reflected that global appeal. Four of the six finalists in the women’s division — Akama, Hina Maeda and Mei Ozeki of Japan, and Evie Pritchard of Canada — were international. The men’s finals also featured global talent, including David Tuesta Mota of Peru, Greg Rodriguez of Mexico and Javon Goodman of Argentina among the 12 competitors.
Edited by Shi Bradley
