9 year old Neiko Farris, of Bend, qualifies for BMX World Championships

BEND, Ore. — Bend has no shortage of athletic talent — from Olympians and Paralympians to BMX riders. Among the newest rising stars is Neiko Farris, better known around the track as the “Bah Bah Kid.”

Farris has been racing since he was about four or five years old — depending on who you ask.

“I lied and said that he was five because he had to be. So we would go to the track and I would quiz him, like, ‘Hey Neiko, how old are you when you go to the track?’ and he's like, ‘Dad, I'm five.’ And I'm like, ‘How old are you when you go to school?’ He's like, ‘I'm four.’ So yeah, it was bad on Dad on that one,”

With his dad by his side, Neiko has been training at Bend BMX and Smith Rock BMX ever since.

“He found a track at Smith Rock and then we went to Bend BMX,” his father added.

Recently, Neiko traveled to Houston, Texas, where he qualified for Team USA BMX. He’ll be one of eight Americans heading to Brisbane, Australia, to compete in the UCI International BMX World Championships this July.

Neiko credits local BMX legend Olivia Armstrong of Bend BMX as a big reason for his progress. Armstrong, a four‑time world champion, teaches youth riders across Central Oregon and has coached Neiko for years.

“We’re grateful to all the local tracks and to Olivia for being his mentor,” said Neiko’s dad.

In mid‑July, Neiko will race against the world’s best to see who will be crowned world champion. When asked what he’s most excited about, his answer was simple:

“Just racing the track.”

Neiko hopes to eventually be sponsored by Daylight Cycles, and if he continues on his current trajectory, he could join their team soon. His passion for the sport runs deep, he was back training just minutes after returning home from his qualifying race.

He will be competing on July 18th & 19th.