Emil
Johansson
Sweden
·
MTB
Date of birth | June 20, 1999 |
|---|---|
Birthplace | Trollhättan |
Age | 27 |
Nationality | Sweden |
Career start | 2016 |
Disciplines | Mountainbike Freeride/Slopestyle |
If you're looking for a name that will live long in the folklore of slopestyle MTB, Emil Johansson might just be it. The rider from the south-west of Sweden has wowed the crowds and judges at contests all over the world with his stylish tricks and smooth riding since bursting on to the scene in 2016.
A slopestyle star emerges
After impressing massively with a fourth-place finish on his debut at the iconic Red Bull Joyride event in 2016, the following season Johansson put the slopestyle world on alert that he'd be a major force to be reckoned with for years to come.
Kicking off the campaign with a third place at Crankworx Rotorua, he followed that up with second at Crankworx Les Gets and Red Bull Joyride at Crankworx Whistler to claim the prestigious Crankworx Slopestyle World Tour overall title in his very first year on the tour – all before his 20th birthday.
Notice had been served to the sport's elite riders, and with Johansson still learning the ropes and developing as a rider, the sky looked to be the limit for this slopestyle phenom.
Overcoming health issues
However, things took an unexpected turn in 2018 as Johansson spent the year struggling with an autoimmune disease. His courageous – and successful – return to slopestyle competition in 2019 is the subject of the documentary, EMIL, while the 2020 follow-up, The Next Chapter, looked at the ongoing struggles below the public surface as he sought to regain the Crankworx title.
Back to his best
The slopestyle king had a banner year in 2021, cleaning up with first place at Crankworx Innsbruck, Red Bull Copenride, Crankworx British Columbia and Crankworx Rotorua.
The winning streak continued in 2022, when Johansson won an eighth straight Crankworx Slopestyle event at Red Bull Joyride in Whistler, Canada, to continue his dominance of the discipline. This was followed by the overall contest victory and the Best Trick award at Red Bull District Ride in Nuremberg, Germany, and yet another Crankworx win in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Yet more success arrived in 2023 as Johansson won first place at Crankworx in Rotorua, Cairns and Innsbruck, all before winning at Red Bull Joyride in Whistler, Canada.
Injury setbacks and a triumphant return
After two seasons plagued with injuries – including a broken collarbone and ribs suffered at Crankworx Cairns in May – Johansson came back to win Red Bull Joyride 2025 in Whistler, Canada. He scored an impressive 91.00 points from the judges, securing his fourth Red Bull Joyride title.
Emil Johansson takes a breather before ripping the trails
© Jesper Gronnemark/Red Bull Content Pool
Emil Johansson on the Cairns slopestyle course
© Graeme Murray/Red Bull Content Pool
Emil Johansson made it four Red Bull Joyride titles
© Tyler Ravelle/Red Bull Content Pool
Emil Johansson has come through adversity to win once again
© Tyler Ravelle/Red Bull Content Pool