Athlete Profile
Kevin Peraza: Embracing Roots While Branching Out
By Nicole Dreon
At their San Diego townhome, BMX star Kevin Peraza...
...and his wife Itsel Martinez Peraza like to keep their windows open so they can hear the neighborhood kids playing in the streets. To Kevin and Itsel, it’s the sound of joy.
Itsel is a talented creative who Kevin says is a perfectionist about how everything looks and feels. “Nothing’s oversaturated in our home,” Kevin says. “There’s not too many photos and things on the wall that are fogging your mind.”
Known for his positive attitude and the biggest smile in action sports, Peraza likes to keep things upbeat. He frequently plays music by Mexican artists like Colancho, his current favorite because of the happy, feelgood vibes.
Now, more sounds of joy will surround the Peraza household, and there might just be additional photos around before long: On May 13th at 2:19 a.m., Itsel and Kevin welcomed their first child, Mila, named after Itsel’s grandmother. Kevin and Itsel like the name because it’s simple and pronounced the same in English and Spanish. They’re already working on getting Mila both American and Mexican passports and want to start traveling with her as soon as possible.
More Medals At X Games Ventura?
And oh, the places the young family will go: Kevin has crisscrossed the world, riding his BMX bike at contests and events in all corners of the globe. The 29-year-old has found success everywhere, but he’s excelled at X Games. Peraza owns eight X Games medals, including five gold. He enjoyed his best X Games at XG California 2023, when he claimed gold in both BMX Street and Park Best Trick and nearly won Park, too, taking silver. Kevin and Ryan Williams became the first BMX athletes to earn three medals at the same X Games since Chad Kagy did it in 2006.
Once known mostly for jumping skills that he parlayed into Park and Dirt gold medals, Peraza’s Street titled proved that he has tech wizardry, too. He’s also the only person in X Games history with gold medals from Park, Dirt and Street, leading BMX legend and broadcast analyst Scotty Cranmer to describe Kevin as the best contest rider at X Games.
In Memory Of A Friend
But the week of X Games California 2023 began on a difficult note, in a church in Riverside, California. There, Kevin and many other X Games competitors attended the memorial of Pat Casey, a leader in the BMX community who had died a month before in a dirt bike accident.
Casey’s house and his massive riding facility had been a hub of activity, and Pat and his family were well-loved by all. Kevin considered Pat one of his closest friends. “The ceremony was so special and so calming at the same time,” Peraza says. “Obviously, we all shared tears, but we also shared tears of joy and tears of laughter, and I think that alone just fueled my week.”
The Park Best Trick final that closed Kevin’s weekend at XG California 2023 is vivid in his mind -- the colorful Park course, the energy of the crowd. When he looked up into the bleachers, he saw his father, Victor, celebrating with fans. His whole family was there, as was Pat Casey’s family.
Kevin remembers thinking about Pat during the contest. He says he and Pat would have done rock, paper, scissors to see who would throw which trick. “I could hear Pat talking to me,” says Kevin. “He would have told me, ‘You didn’t work hard all year to get your invite and not do the things you’ve worked on.’”
The creative, innovative rider then stomped the most unique Park trick of the weekend, one that still has fellow pros shaking their heads in disbelief nearly a year later.
The Importance Of Family
Peraza’s family is ever-present at X Games. They’re usually easy to spot -- his mom, Maria, typically is waving a Mexican flag. A first generation American, Kevin was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. He’s one of four brothers, all of whom ride BMX. Even his father rides and used to race. Kevin’s parents were born and raised in Mexico, as was Itsel’s family. In fact, both sets of parents are from Hermosillo, Sonora, and were good friends in Mexico.
Kevin decided a few years ago to represent Mexico at contests. He’s a role model on both sides of the border, and his social media feed is filled with comments from fans lavishing praise in both languages.
“I think it’s important to remember where you came from and how you started,” Kevin says. “Everybody talks about growth and of becoming something, but look at all the hardships and sacrifices that not only your parents had to go through, but your grandparents as well.” Kevin’s maternal grandparents worked hard to leave their small beach town in Mexico to give their daughters a better education, while his father is the second youngest of 15 children.
“The whole Mexican culture is all about family and being together,” Kevin says.
Growing His Own Family and Self
Itsel, Kevin and baby Mila are establishing their own family at their home in San Diego. Kevin and Itsel like to buy flowers from Trader Joes and make arrangements for the house. When they’re alone together, the couple -- who have known each other since their school years -- speak Spanish. They enjoy cooking together, and Kevin even claims to love doing the dishes. One of his favorite meals is chilaquiles, and guacamole is a must for every meal.
It was always Kevin’s dream to live in San Diego near the heart of action sports, but it was hard to leave Tucson. He and his brothers are close, with all four sons living with their parents into their 20s.
Still, the move to SoCal has nourished new relationships. From his home in Mission Valley, Kevin can ride daily with fellow X Games athletes like Dennis Enarson, Nathan Williams, Garrett Reynolds, Chad Kerley and Perris Benegas. Enarson and Kerley also are fathers with young kids -- Kevin and Itsel aren’t alone. While Kevin used to ride until late, things are different these days.
And that’s okay. In fact, it’s great. “I told Itsel that when we had our baby, I thought, ‘This is probably the best day of my life,’” Kevin says. “And then I was like, ‘No, I think the best day of my life was marrying you. Now this is just another best day of my life.’”
Kevin Peraza Bio Blast
- Age 29
- 8 X Games medals: 5 gold (2 in BMX Park, 1 in BMX Dirt, Street & Park Best Trick)
- Only athlete in X Games history with gold from BMX Dirt, Park and Street
- One of two athletes to earn medals in Park and Street at the same X Games (Dennis Enarson).
- Will compete in 3 disciplines at XG Ventura 2024: Park, Street and Park Best Trick
- Instagram: @kevinperaza