First time champions crowned and history made at Red Bull Street Style Global Championships.
Thursday, December 7, 2023 – Jay Hennicke and Anastasia Bagaglini claimed the men’s and women’s Red Bull Street Style Global Championships title on Thursday night as they fended off the world’s best football freestylers in front of a sold out crowd in Brussels, Belgium. It marks the first ever champions from Australia and Italy respectively highlighting a new wave of freestyle talent. Here is all you need to know:
– The Docks Dome centre in the Belgian capital hosted the event with the world’s best football freestylers putting on a spectacular show for the capacity crowd who created an electric atmosphere throughout the night.
– Jay Hennicke from Australia fulfilled his dream of becoming a Red Bull Street Style champion defeating some of the most reputable names and former champions in freestyle football to claim the title. He secured the victory in a tense final with Jesse Marlet whilst Frenchman Tristian Gac secured a third-place finish on a scintillating night of entertainment much to the delight of the Belgian crowd. Gac eliminated Erlend Fagerli, ten-time World Champion and widely considered the greatest freestyler of all time took his final bow ahead of his retirement from the sport. Gac faced close friend Hennicke in the semi-final but lost out three votes to two in an intense battle.
– It was just Hennicke’s third ever Red Bull Street Style Championships and he impressed the judges with his unique and entertaining style, as well as his exceptional ability to perfectly execute high difficulty tricks. His wide range of skills and tricks throughout each battle, from impressive floor skill, alongside acrobatic moves and lightning quick speed.
– Jay said: “I didn’t expect it, I’ve never even made a top eight and I did not expect to beat Jesse, it just felt amazing on stage, the energy in Brussels was just crazy. Even from the introductions and when home town hero (Soufiane) Bencok came on, I knew it was going to be a crazy competition. It is incredible, to put Australia on the map like that, I never even dreamed of something like that happening! To have beaten the odds and compete with worlds best is just a blessing to me. I am just so proud to be involved in freestyle and street style football.”
– Speaking on his final competition, Erland said: “I am feeling okay after my final battle, it was not the best but the man who beat me was super good today. We had a really fun battle and ending my career in Belgium is so cool, I’m just really happy with my freestyle career, it’s been the most beautiful journey. To attend all these competitions and do so well it’s been amazing.”
– Meanwhile in the women’s competition it was a night to celebrate the growth and rising stars of female freestyle football as Anastasia Bagaglini became the youngest ever winner of the competition aged just 21, becoming the first Italian to take home a Red Bull Street Style Global Championship crown. The Italian star defeated Canadian Mathilde Fortier in a showstopping finale, whilst last year’s champion Caitlyn Schrepfer took third place on the podium.
– Her performances featured sensational lower body tricks, whilst she continued to excite the judges and the hyped crowd with long combinations of high difficulty. Her flare and confidence throughout warmed her to the Brussels crowd who raised the roof as her arm was raised as she was announced as champion.
– Anastasia said: “I am so happy; I feel really grateful to be here. I have been doing freestyle for seven years and I train every day, it’s difficult to do it on the stage but I did it! The other girls are amazing, and I am very pleased for this victory.”
– The competition was judged by the most respected names in the freestyle community, including Robert Guzik (Pol), Geatan Czaja (Fra), Olivia Cooke (GBR) and Jaime Arboreta (ESP). They were joined by a special guest star judge, record-breaking Belgian national goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt. The judges faced the gruelling task of trying to separate the hotly contested battles that took place throughout the evening.
– The Red Bull Street Style Global Championship capped off an incredible week of freestyle football culture in Brussels, as the very best men’s and women’s ballers presented the very best of freestyle football with amazing flare, skill and passion on show throughout the week. The finale highlighted the rising wave of global talent in freestyle football and the atmosphere in Brussels captured the rising love of the sport around the world. This year’s competition marked the 12th edition of the event, as the excitement for freestyle football continues to rise across the globe.
Contact: Fabian Ress
fabian.ress@3mpg.ch / +49 173 248 8404