When the noise of roaring engines and the glow of pyrotechnics filled the arena in Johannesburg, USA, rider Wyatt Fontenot delivered a performance for the history books.

Rising to the pinnacle of freestyle motocross (FMX), Fontenot dethroned Belgium's Julien Vanstippen, ending his three-year winning streak, to be crowned the champion of the 2025 Volkswagen Amarok King of the Whip.

For Fontenot, the victory in South Africa represented far more than just taking top honours; it marked the culmination of years defined by resilience, sacrifice and relentless focus. Hailing from Opelousas, Louisiana, the former professional motocross racer fought through immense physical setbacks, overcoming four knee surgeries across both knees before shifting his focus fully to freestyle motocross. Before turning professional, he worked in construction, and he still balances his time today working on diesel trucks.

Now living in California with his girlfriend Kyla and their French bulldog, Enzo, Fontenot has turned every opportunity into a milestone.

Taking his talents international was a dream come true. Reflecting on his victory in Johannesburg, Fontenot shared his excitement about competing on Foreign soil for the first time:

"Last year was incredible; that was my first time being outside the US, plus getting to win my first Best Whip Contest at King of the Whip was icing on the cake. South Africa is awesome," said Wyatt Fontenot to Eyewitness News.

USA freestyle motocross rider Wyatt Fontenot. Picture: Eric Pamer and Cloud9 Photography.

The electric crowd at Montecasino made the experience all the more memorable.

Fontenot was deeply moved by the passionate turnout from local sports fans, noting that the atmosphere gave him the exact boost he needed under the night sky:

"After having the opportunity to travel the world, KOTW in the SA has one of the rowdiest and highest-energy crowds I've ever witnessed.

The South African fans absolutely love moto! The loud fans made it easy to throw down for them, said Wyatt Fontenot.

Fontenot was equally impressed by the local talent pool, praising South African FMX riders and the community surrounding the Jungle Rush FMX setup, where riders collaborate to elevate their skills.

USA freestyle motocross rider Wyatt Fontenot. Picture: Eric Pamer and Cloud9 Photography.

While throwing a motorcycle completely sideways airborne looks terrifying to the average viewer, Fontenot approached his runs with remarkable poise.

When asked about what goes through his head mid-air, he explained:

"Well, I can't throw a ball to save my life, so I'm thankful to be good at motocross when it comes to this. I really try to put myself in a calm spot; I visualise myself to where I want to be and work for it. I'm at ease and calm before I hit the ramp," said Wyatt Fontenot.

Looking ahead to defending his title, Fontenot remains grounded and driven. Preparing alongside Vantippen- a close friend and inspiration- he plans to train heavily before returning to South Africa.

"They can expect an awesome show, and Wyo is going to give the South African crowd the best of myself. I love the vibes in SA, and I'm going to be the one having the most fun out there," Wyatt Fontenot.

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