Born and raised in Fukuoka, which seems to be far from snow, the boy is blessed with connections with destined people, exceptional physical ability, and an environment suitable for improvement such as indoor slopes and jump practice facilities. I rushed up the Japanese snowboarding scene at a high speed. In 2013, he won the runner-up, which was the highest among Japanese in the history of TOYOTA BIG AIR, but after that, he lived in the world of video with the belief of FIGHT FOR LIBERTY without going on the path of a competitor.Toshiki Yamane, 26 years old.There is no doubt that his piercing style and his passion will affect more snowboarders in the future.I approached him like that.
Edit + Text: HaruAki
* This article is a special release of the interview article published in the December 2020 issue of FREERUN magazine (released on November 2) as "STAY HOME" special content.
IN THE MIDDLE OF CHAPTER 6
Express your will to keep moving forward for freedom
-Can you give me a turning point that I felt was big in my snowboarding life so far?
Speaking like a game, I'm in Chapter 6 right now.Therefore, there are many turning points (laughs).First of all, the first chapter where I got to know ACHARM, the most hardcore shop in Kyushu, and got to know Mr. Yuzo (Niihara) and learned coolness and style.Chapter 1 when I met Nakai (Koji) and realized that the top rider was so good, catching the board at the next level and slipping.To make a name for himself at a stretch, he left his name at the tournament ... Specifically, it's TOYOTA BIG AIR, but in order to play an active role there, he learned tricks and tried to break the barrier with the world in Chapter 2.Chapter 3 is the transfer to SALOMON, who was willing to support the activities that are going to be completed by shooting instead of the tournament. Chapter 4 started to move with (Akiyama) Yosuke, (Watanabe) Daisuke, and cameraman (Matsuda) Kentaro with the message FIGHT FOR LIBERTY.And I was transferred to BATALEON who accepted me as an international rider and gave me an environment where I could do more free activities ... I am now in the middle of Chapter 5 and will open the door of Chapter 6 from now on. I'm about to do it.Looking back, the turning point was always a new start for me.My snowboards are rushing into new stages.Besides, I don't think snowboarding has a goal or an end in the first place.
-Did you always think of your growth as a story?
I agree.But basically, I'm a person who doesn't look back on the past, and it's easy to forget things and get messed up (bitter smile).I used to be conscious of it, but now I'm starting to think that I really don't care about myself in the past.I like anime ... Do you know "HUNTER x HUNTER"?When a character named Hisoka appears there and fights against the main character Gon in the underground arena, he narrates, "Hisoka does not talk about the past. I'm sure he will forget the name of the opponent who fought today. There is a phrase called ".When I heard that, I thought, "It's really cool" and "I'm such a guy."Instead of clinging to yourself in the past, look forward and live freely.
-Is that also the spirit of FIGHT FOR LIBERTY?Once again, tell us about FIGHT FOR LIBERTY.
I always thought that I could be an international rider just by being good at snowboarding.However, the harsh reality that is struck in front of me is making me weaker and weaker ...Then, I was swaying (bitter smile), and when I noticed it, I fell into the dark side where snowboarding was fun.But I have to find an answer.So I wondered what kind of weapon I had.The answer I gave was a self-assertion that I was like myself.Toshiki Yamane has this kind of humanity, and I want people to be more aware that snowboarding is slipping like this and has this idea.At that time, the message "FIGHT FOR LIBERTY" was put up.For example, there are pros and cons.In such a world of pros and cons, I think everyone is worried about "which is better" and "which is right".On the other hand, what many artists tell us about music is that you can choose the one you like.So, be proud of it.But I felt something different.I'm ignoring those who oppose it. It sounded like, "Let me tell you, because they can't be the other party."Instead, I wanted words that could save the opinions of both pros and cons.That was FIGHT FOR LIBERTY.If this is the case, I can say with all my heart.Even when I'm wondering which way to go, I'm free to push forward.I thought it was important for me to live.So put it in your core.
-It's a strong message.
My dream is to become a professional snowboarder and live in a special world, and vice versa, it's a normal world.I don't have to be a rider, I wish I could live while snowboarding ...When I was on the dark side, I couldn't express my intention to keep moving forward by asking myself, "Will you come back there?" "No, I want to go higher." I thought I shouldn't.That's why FIGHT FOR LIBERTY.Fight for freedom.If you do it with the spirit of never losing, you will definitely be able to climb up.As a result of continuing to move like that, I think it's getting better now.And, remembering that intention and seriously facing snowboarding to get better has been my consciousness and theme for the past few years. With the hungry spirit of "always going to the next stage", let's continue to improve.
Photo: Tom Gan-or
-Snowboarding, which was supposed to be free, is now clinging to it, and I feel like it's hard to move.Especially in the competition scene ...
In the end, you have to score points and win the tournament.That's why I have to do tricks that give me points ... At that point, I'm not free.But in the past, Danny Kass did a really stretchy backside 360 at the X Games.I felt freedom there.For example, while everyone is competing for points, you can do backside 540 instead of doing double cork by yourself. You might think, "You can't win that way," but if you say, "No, it's not a win or a small thing, because I'm the only one who can do this trick," it's a win.There are some guys who rank by score and are immersed in a sense of superiority, but I'm going to make a difference in another part.Rather, I'm thinking of letting you know that.Then I think snowboarding will be cooler.Snowboarding is something that everyone can assert themselves.What is cool in that is asked ...However, it may be difficult to see backside 1080 and backside 180 from the same perspective.However, "Why do you get a higher score if you turn a lot? Isn't it actually difficult to turn slowly? Moreover, you grab the grab longer than anyone else and fly cooler than anyone else. Why isn't it appreciated?" I have that feeling.Even if a half-hearted guy does it, it seems like "what's this guy", but when the top expresses it, the story is different.You are free to express it, and you are self-assertive.
-I'm focusing on shooting now, but have you ever considered balancing the tournament with shooting?
There is.Rather, I still think about it.However, shooting was too fun (laughs).After all, if you can't afford it, you can't do it.Last season, I took a lot of shots and participated in AIR MIX and SNOWBOARD MASTERS at the end of the season with my body finished.It would be ideal if such a move could be made in the future, and if it became overseas, it would be even more interesting.Speaking of luxury, even if I go to an overseas tournament, I would like to take some time to shoot locally for about 10 days before and after that.You don't have to leave a result at the tournament.I think it's a new claim to shoot the front side 180 at the tournament rather than the result, or to do something that no one can do.
-that's interesting.But do you also practice to win the current tournament at the same time?
Yes, I do ... but it's no exaggeration to say that I'm practicing triple cork because I want to do a trick like 180 in the final (laughs).
Photo: Tom Gan-or
MY RIDING STYLE IS…
Aiming to be an all-rounder that surpasses professional riders
-You said you're in Chapter 6 right now, but you also have a signature board from BATALEON.Do you have any message in it?
The first work was like my initial impulse.The red of passion, the black that is not dyed in any color, and I have a devilish graphic because I have two illnesses, and the flex is also stiff and powerful.However, I wanted the second work of the current model to be supple.Therefore, the color is feminine and soft, and the pink is abnormal, and the flex is mild.The reason is simply because I thought I didn't need power.For example, ollie doesn't need power either.As long as the center of gravity moves and the timing matches, you can fly using the repulsion of the board.I don't do anything with Gamshala, but I know the reasoning and move ... If I'm in a position where I should ride according to the movement and flow, I don't need that much power.The repulsion speed when kicking is very fast when it is hard, but after recognizing that I stepped on it as soft, the repulsion from the board comes back.I thought this would change the feeling of manipulating the board.At high speeds, the board goes wild a little, but it's also controlled by my leg strength, and what I can't control is simply lack of ability.I thought I would stop relying on the board for more than my ability.
Photo: KentaRAWmatsuda
-What is the change in the board and the slip?
You can now catch the center of the board much more than before.If you rely on the board, the center of gravity will inevitably go behind you.But for a good person, the center of gravity is in the middle of the board, but only the legs are moving.Apparently, I realized that it was the key to manipulating the board freely.There is also the fact that the board is softened so that everyone will notice it.
-What kind of snowboard do you want to express now that the slip has changed?
I want you to feel the passion of "Yabe, snowboarding", the spirit of wanting to get better, and the masculineness of wanting to be cool.
-Now, the word is cool, but do you think the style that greatly influences it exudes?Or is it something you put out yourself?
I think it's both.I'm the type to put out.I think Nicolas Müller is the type that is out.But Marc Frank Montoya, Aaron Bitner, Justin Benny, and those who appeared in TECHNINE's "ONE LOVE" are the types that they have put out.And I also think that is good.I used to always skate with style in mind, but nowadays I can turn it on and off.For example, today there are days when I ignore style and try to slip while feeling gravity.It's okay to raise your back when you're slipping.I used to think that it was a crap, but nowadays I think it's better to raise it a little so that you can feel the gravity of the earth (laughs).But there are times when I'm trying to close it.It feels like going back and forth.Is it because I can understand both opinions?
-When you slip ignoring that style, what do you say from your surroundings?
"It's different than usual, isn't it?"I'm happy because I dare to change it myself.Some parts change from day to day, and some styles never change.Recently, I think that by constantly putting out styles, it may naturally exude.However, when it comes to "let's snowboard together" right after the season in, it's fun for me to give priority.I don't think I'm going to put parentheses on my head, it's like "Let's play around with everyone" and "Let's do the best snowboarding".At that time, I don't really care about the style.
Photo: Tom Gan-or
-Recently, you released the full part video on the web, but do you put out your own style for all the cuts used in that?
I agree.I realized that starting with a conscious style, there are also unconscious styles.Now, I think that if we can multiply the consciousness and the unconscious and bring the consciousness to the unconscious area, it will be a complete form.
-Isn't it approaching now?
That's right.However, that's something you can slip into.That's why I want to slip a lot.
-I think that snowboarders nowadays have many professions such as pipes, jumps, streets, etc. Do you have any thoughts about that?
My melon is all-round.The fact that all-rounders catch up with the professionals is also the part I'm most looking for.It's like a game, but all-rounders are like Mario, and their status is generally average.The opposite is a specialized character, and sometimes the number of all abilities is high and it's like a cheat cheat.I want to go to that level.That's why I want to do everything, and I'm grateful if there is someone who can be seen as a rival of the profession.Because you just have to surpass the riders who are fascinated by the cutting edge of the scene.
-You're targeting riders with unique styles even in the profession, right?
That's right.It's easy and not interesting to just precede the trick.I think anyone can do it.It's okay if it's a jump ...To put it the other way around, it's okay if you can turn around like a figure skater without grabbing.Instead, it turns with a unique grab on a different axis from humans.Doing one difficult thing is an important thing for me, and I am particular about it.Besides, I think it's definitely better to be aware of that.
Photo: KentaRAWmatsuda
Continue to the second part.
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What we can do now.
Thinking about the next season, "Reading for staying at home".
Message from Toshiki Yamane to readers
"First of all, I think that what is important now is my feelings (mind). I have an emotion that I will never give up when I raise FIGHT FOR LIBERTY (FFL), and that is" living ". No matter how difficult the situation, I will crawl and overcome the huge wall by all means. That is why I think that this feeling fits perfectly with the current difficult situation by Corona. Everyone is the same. But I definitely don't want to lose my loved one. And I must never forget that I can't do anything if I'm not alive. You can see what you should do. That's why your precious family I think it's an important time to face with friends and friends. Corona gives humanity time to think, and we think and search for irreplaceable things in it and face it.
Nowadays, many people are making support messages and live-streaming through trial and error, which I think is very good.Snowboarding is the ultimate play, so I think we are good at looking for “play” in this limited situation. At FFL, we all think about new logos and apparel at this timing, and create sounds to put in movies.I think it's time for me to spend time inside myself, such as games, manga, anime, movies, video editing, and devising new projects, and I imagined what I wanted to do in the future, and Corona converged. We are preparing to work on it immediately at the right time.Among them, I recently sold shirts.But it didn't make money, it worked by delivering the desire and passion to really live.I want to survive this situation and meet again with a smile and hug and give a high five.If it's a business, it's a minus, but I thought that was fine.Many people who understood my feelings gave me DM, and I realized that I was able to connect and convey my intention to live.
Now, I will definitely survive and reunite with everyone at the center of my heart, and I will bite through each day.I think you can.Because we are snowboarders, a mass of rebellious spirit, and a love of freedom.-Toshiki Yamane'
