Jayo Archer, a motocross star and X Games medalist who was the first rider to perform a triple backflip in a competition, died on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at the age of 27.
According to ESPN, he suffered a fatal crash while practicing the same trick in his hometown of Melbourne, Australia.
Archer was a member of the Nitro Circus crew, a group of extreme sports athletes who perform stunts and shows around the world. He was one of the most talented and fearless riders in the sport, and had won two X Games medals, including a bronze in Best Trick in 2023.
Jayo Archer made history in November 2022, when he became the first rider to land a triple backflip on a dirt bike at the Nitro World Games in Brisbane, Australia.
The triple backflip, which involves rotating three times in the air while holding onto the bike, is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous tricks in motocross. There have only been two other riders to replicate the feat.
Archer was working on a new challenge, a quadruple backflip, which would have made him the first motocross athlete to achieve it. He was practicing the triple backflip as a warm-up for the quadruple backflip, when he lost control of his bike and crashed. He was quickly rushed to the hospital but it was already too late.
Jayo Archer was born and raised in Melbourne, and started riding dirt bikes at the age of four. He joined the Nitro Circus crew in 2012, and quickly became one of the stars of the show.
He competed in several events, such as the X Games, the Red Bull X-Fighters, and the Monster Energy Cup. He was known for his passion, hard work, and determination, as well as his positive influence and charisma.