What kind of athlete is Kimura Aoi, the reigning World Cup Big Air champion?

KimuraAoi (Kira is a snowboarder who was ranked number one in the FIS World Cup Big Air event in the 23/24 season.

When he was in sixth grade, he watched snowboarding at the Olympics and started competing in slopestyle and big air snowboarding.
With his outstanding athletic ability and natural talent, he achieved rapid growth and obtained his professional qualifications when he was in the second year of junior high school.
He continued to hone his skills, and in his first World Cup appearance in January 2023, he immediately made it onto the podium in third place.

From there, he performed on one big stage after another, and in no time, he became the annual champion. This was the start of Kira's challenge to reach the top of the world.
I want you to know this name, as I'm sure it will be involved in the world's top competition this season as well.


I really love snowboarding, so I do it.
I hate having things I'm not good at

 

Q
My name wasn't on the start list for the big air event in China the other day.
A
Actually, I got injured during training in New Zealand this year, but it wasn't a serious injury and I'm feeling much better now. I've resumed training while keeping an eye on my condition, and I think I'll be ready in time for the next tournament (Austrian World Cup).
Q
Rumor has it that you have incredible physical strength and are able to master even difficult techniques quickly; what aspect of yourself has influenced that?
A
I used to do gymnastics. When I can visualize in my head how to use my body in the air, how to move my body to land smoothly, and all of those things, my body moves quite well. I think that experience is very useful in that regard.
I've been learning from Daisuke Nishimura ever since I started skiing seriously. He's taught me a lot of detail, from how to take the approach line for a jump, to the movements you make when you come off, and how to hold the board. Even the slightest mistake can mess up your jump, so I practice over and over again to make sure I don't make any mistakes.
Q
Are you the type of person who likes to practice steadily?
A
Yes, that's true. When it comes to difficult techniques, there are things I can't do. Then I get motivated to try. It's fun.
Q
You qualified as a professional when you were in the second year of junior high school. Was your goal to become a world champion even then?
A
I didn't know back then, I probably didn't think about it at all (laughs). I think it was when I was in my first or second year of high school, I went to train overseas for the first time, and it made me realize I had this kind of ability. I felt like I could do it.
Q
Who are the top 3 people who helped you grow?
A
First of all, my current manager. He brought up the idea of ​​me being a sponsor, and he has really taken care of me, including arranging accommodation and transportation during practice, so I'm really grateful. Next is Daisuke Nishimura. He's always been with me and coaching me. And then there's my mom and dad. They've been the ones who've supported me the most. I still have a long way to go, but I'm really grateful.
Q
As a sport, is there one that you're better at - slope or big air?
A
Nothing in particular. I love snowboarding, so I enjoy everything I do without feeling like I'm good at it or bad at it. I hate having weaknesses. I think, "Why do I have weaknesses when I'm doing something I love so much?", so I always practice to get rid of my weaknesses.
Q
What goal are you practicing for right now?
A
The other day at the World Cup in China, I was competing in a six-revolution big air competition, and I think it's pretty crazy. At the moment, I can only do five and a half revolutions in competitions. In order to do a six-revolution in competitions, I need to solidify my foundation and keep working on it.
Q
How is the YONEX board?
A
Anyway, it suits me and I feel good on it. It's easy to handle and easy to slide on. I've been riding YONEX boards for a long time, so it's like a part of my body.
Kira has been using YONEX gear for a long time. He says that the gear feels like a part of his body. His perfectly balanced spin is born from this sense of unity.


I want to win as many championships as possible

 

Q
Your younger brother Yuto seems to have also reached a pretty high level, how do you keep him in mind?
A
On the one hand, I feel like if I let my guard down I'll be overtaken, but on the other hand, I'm genuinely happy.
Q
In the future, it won't be long before you travel the world together like the Hirano brothers (Ayumu and Umiho) and the Tomita sisters (Sena and Ruki). When that happens, how do you want to support your younger brother as his older brother?
A
I want him to be on the podium, and I'll give him advice based on my experience. Even now, he asks me questions, and when the timing is right, we skate together and practice. At times like that, I often think, "Wow, he can do that!" My brother can do quintuple jumps, and even quintuple axels in practice. He's becoming quite a rival.
Q
Now, the difficulty level is getting higher and higher, and there are more rivals. How do you plan to prepare yourself in such a situation?
A
I still need the basics, so I'll start by getting a good grasp of them and then gradually adjust. I'll just go at my own pace without trying to force myself to improve.
Q
Kira-kun is basically a very calm person.
A
I get that a lot. Even if I mess up on the first one, I often manage to get it right on the second one, so people tell me how amazing that is.
Q
Where does that mental strength come from?
A
I guess it was my parents. They were very strict about that kind of thing, so they really trained me.
Q
What are your goals this season?
A
This year, I've been slow to start because of an injury, but I'm aiming to win. Last season, I started to get tired in the second half, but there is the World Championships, so I want to adjust so that I can win there. I want to win as many championships as possible.
Q
This is an era where there are a lot of rivals among Japanese players.
A
That's right. We all get along well, but when it comes to competitions, I think it's like, "I'm not going to lose to that guy after all." But even in that situation, I want to work hard so that I don't lose to anyone.

Kimura Aoi is cheerful, energetic, and honest, and always gives pleasant responses when you talk to her.
The powerful full stomp jump is of a top class height, and the spin exudes perfect balance.
He is also skilled in jibs, and we can expect great things from him in slopestyle. His physical strength, and above all, his mental strength, are his greatest weapons, and he is sure to be a hot topic this season.

On December 12th, Kimura Aoi was selected and honored as one of the "YONEX AWARDS 13 Athletes of the Year," an award given by YONEX to athletes who have made outstanding contributions to enhancing the company's image and developing its business through external activities.

He used YONEX STYLAHOLIC boards, bindings, boots, and wear, and continued to use YONEX products to make it to the world stage. 

[Major achievements](As of 2024.12.18)
<2024/2025 season>
World Cup Slopestyle (Cardrona/New Zealand) 5th place
<2023/2024 season>
Big Air Event - Overall Ranking 1st Place
Europe Cup Slopestyle (Corvatsch/Switzerland) 2nd place
Winner of the All Japan Championships Slopestyle (Tsugaike/Nagano)
All Japan Championship Big Air (Tsugaike/Nagano) 2nd place
Asia Cup Big Air (Nekoma Mountain/Fukushima) 3rd place
World Cup Slopestyle (Laax/Switzerland) 7th place
World Cup Big Air (Edomonton/Canada) 5th place
World Cup Big Air (Beijing/China)
World Cup Big Air (Chur/Switzerland) 2nd place
FIS New Zealand Tournament Slopestyle (Cardrona/New Zealand) 2nd place
<2022/2023 season>
European Cup Big Air (Corvatsch/Switzerland) Winner
Hakuba Book Off Big Air (Tsugaike/Nagano) 5th place
Winner of Hakuba COW DAY Slopestyle Tournament (Hakuba 47/Nagano)
All Japan Championships Niseko Tournament Slopestyle (Niseko/Hokkaido) 3rd place
All Japan Championship Niseko Big Air (Niseko/Hokkaido) 2nd place
NorAm Cup Big Air (Horseshoe Resort/Canada) Winner
Winner of NorAm Cup Slopestyle (Horseshoe Resort/Canada)
Won the FIS Altsbic Air Championship (Nekoma Mountain/Fukushima)
Winner of Hokkaido Championship Slopestyle (Niseko/Hokkaido)
Japan Slopestyle Open (Niseko/Hokkaido) 2nd place
World Cup Big Air (Kreischberg/Austria) 3rd place