Paris Olympian Leila Walker (New Zealand) and Bennett Greenough (New Zealand) claimed the elite titles at the 2025 Oceania BMX Championships in New Plymouth, New Zealand on Sunday 2 February.

Walker who made her Olympic debut in Paris last year where she made the semifinals, became just the third New Zealander to claim the elite women’s Oceania BMX title with a dominant performance.

With two wins and a second in her motos, she was the favourite heading into the final. She further stamped her class by grabbing the holeshot out of the gate and leading from the front all the way to the line holding off 2024 bronze medallist Megan Williams (New Zealand) and reigning junior world champion Teya Rufus (Australia).

“The day was competitive, mixed in with the under-23s and elites, with some young and developing girls from Australia,” said Walker.

“I was super happy to come out on top with some strong, tight racing amongst the girls.”

In the elite men’s competition 2024 under 23 silver medallist Greenough emerged on top to claim his maiden Oceania title. The winner was decided on points across the three motos, with Greenough winning all three to finish on three points. Well clear of silver medallist Jesse Asmus (Australia) on eight, who improved on bronze from a year ago and 2024 under 23 champion Oliver Moran (Australia) on nine.

“I am pretty stoked. I have had a big off-season as I have not raced internationally since May last year so it was good to be back racing with the lads,” Greenough said.

“I took things lap by lap, and strung things together. I could see the benefits of the work in the off-season and happy with how things went and looking forward to the season.”

In the under 23 categories Joel Marsh (Australia) claimed the men’s title. The 2022 junior champion improved throughout the day with two seconds and a third in the motos, second in the semifinal before winning the final in a photo finish. Silver went to Jordan Callum (AUS) with reigning junior world champion Joshua Jolly (Australia) completing the podium.

Isabella Schramm went one better than a year ago to claim the women’s under 23 title ahead of Brooke Penny (New Zealand) and Mia Webster (Australia).

Australia’s AJ Donald dominated the junior men’s racing, going through the competition undefeated to take the title ahead of 2024 champion Preston Murray (Australia) with Cameron Gatt (Australia) rounding out the podium.

There was plenty of celebration in the Greenough household, with Lily Greenough (New Zealand), a junior world championship medallist last year taking out the junior women’s title ahead of Charlotte Guy (Australia).

Results – Full Results
Elite Men
Gold: Bennett Greenough (New Zealand)
Silver: Jesse Asmus (Australia)
Bronze: Oliver Moran (Australia)

Elite Women
Gold: Leila Walker (New Zealand)
Silver: Megan Williams (New Zealand)
Bronze: Teya Rufus (Australia)

U23 Men
Gold: Joel Marsh (Australia)
Silver: Jordan Callum (Australia)
Bronze: Joshua Jolly (Australia)

U23 Women
Gold: Isabella Schramm (Australia)
Silver: Brooke Penny (New Zealand)
Bronze: Mia Webster (Australia)

Junior Men
Gold: AJ Donald (Australia)
Silver: Preston Murray (Australia)
Bronze: Cameron Gatt (Australia)

Junior Women
Gold: Lily Greenough (New Zealand)
Silver: Charlotte Guy (Australia)