Extreme pogo athletes who wowed on America’s Got Talent featured at Benton Franklin fair
Henry Cabelus set the world record for the highest jump on a pogo stick when he launched himself 10 feet into the air at the Guinness World Records Day 2023 at Pogopalooza in Pittsburgh.
He currently holds eight other world records, including most consecutive backflips.
If you’re wondering, his record is 22 flips.
This week, Cabelus, 24, and teammate Nico Patino, 26, of XPogo Stunt Team are soaring into the sky at Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo in Kennewick, entertaining crowds with their extreme flips and jumps — on colorful 70 psi air-powered pogo sticks.
Cabelus and Patino were two of the XPogo Stunt Team members who competed on the most recent season of the NBC television show America’s Got Talent, which premiered in May 2024. Veteran members of the group were featured on seasons five and nine of the show.
The pair has known each other since they were teens in New Hope, Penn. They attended middle school and high school together.
Cabelus told the Herald this week that he remembers being inspired by seeing Patino perform on a pogo stick at a school talent show.
“It was lucky timing with YouTube where I found pogo tricks,” Cabelus said. “Then when I saw Nico do it in-person, I was sold.”
Their connection adds friendly competition to their performances.
Their aerial tricks include no-handed back flips, front flips, air walking and synchronized jumps.
“Our goal is to bring pogo to the masses, to make it more well-known and seen as a legitimate action sport,” Cabelus said.
He compared pogo to BMX, rollerblading and skateboarding.
Cabelus said that anyone who is interested in learning the sport should “take it easy on themselves,” learn the fundamentals and always wear a helmet.
He’s broken nine bones, including both feet and four bones in his face after a nasty fall.
“The biggest hurdle is fear when I’m doing a single trick. A lot of things are still scary. During performances, I have to have endurance,” he said.
At the finale at the Wednesday afternoon performance, Cabelus did 10 consecutive backflips.
Patino was right there cheering him on.
The XPogo Stunt Team has 15 members and up to six athletes performing at events worldwide at any time.
Daily shows are at 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. near the Benton PUD Parklet and the Pavilion.
The Benton Franklin Fair is open 10 a.m.-11 p.m. through Saturday, Aug. 24.
This story was originally published August 22, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
