From humble beginnings as a street skating demonstration in Downtown Santa Ana, California, to one of the world’s premier inline skating festivals, Blading Cup has become much more than a competition—it has become a celebration of the culture, creativity and community that define the sport.
Founded by inline skating pioneer Jon Julio in 2011, Blading Cup was created to showcase professional street skating in a purpose-built mobile skatepark. Fifteen years later, the event has expanded across three continents, with stops in Santa Ana (USA), Montpellier (France) and Jakarta (Indonesia), bringing together the world’s best skaters alongside film festivals, art exhibitions, product launches, trade shows and community events.
This year’s Blading Cup Asia marked another milestone, becoming the first Blading Cup to be officially sanctioned by World Skate as part of the World Skate Challenger Series. With valuable world ranking points on offer and more than 150 skaters representing 17 countries, it was the biggest Blading Cup ever held.
Reflecting on the event, founder Jon Julio said:
“This event is dear to my heart and showcased the best skating from all 17 countries represented. I can’t wait to come back next year.”
Australia arrived in Jakarta with one of the largest international contingents, with almost 20 athletes, supporters and fellow skaters making the journey. While the results spoke for themselves, it was the spirit of the Australian team that left just as strong an impression.
The Australian cheer squad became one of the highlights of the weekend. Made up of Australia’s top skaters, overseas athletes who now proudly call Australia home, families, supporters and veteran skaters who travelled simply to experience the event, they brought endless energy to every heat. Their encouragement echoed throughout the venue, lifting Australian competitors and earning the respect of athletes from around the world.
Australia’s performances reflected that support, with athletes reaching finals across multiple divisions.
Australian Results
Veterans
🥈 Sam Fogarty – 2nd
Stephen Walker – 4th
Hayden Golder – 5th
Scott Crawford – 8th
Men’s Pro
Rob Kellett – 6th
Sam Fogarty – 7th
Men’s Open
Josh Budden – 4th
For Australian skater Rob Kellett, Blading Cup is about much more than results.
“The vibes. The energy. The people. It’s an unforgettable event, and a great place to catch up with friends from all over the world. Can’t wait for next year!”
Danish skater Martin Gade, who has become a familiar face within the Australian skating community, believes that’s exactly what makes the event so unique.
“Blading Cup is something special. Everyone is there for the same reason—to have fun, skate together and support each other, even if you’ve only just met. Watching the next generation progress every year is incredible, and with everyone staying together, it feels more like a skate camp than a competition. I’ve got a lot of love for this event.”
Blading Cup has always been about more than podiums. It is where friendships are strengthened, future stars emerge and the global inline skating community comes together.
For Australia, Jakarta 2026 was another reminder that success isn’t measured solely by medals. It was seen in the size of the team that travelled, the encouragement from the sidelines, the respect shown by competitors from around the world and the performances delivered on the course.
As Blading Cup continues to grow, so too does Australia’s presence on the international stage—and if this year’s event was any indication, the future of Australian inline skating has never looked brighter.
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