Go My Way. – Interview with Yuki Kadono <Part XNUMX>-"I think it's my own personality to make a mark in the Olympics."

Photo: Peter Morning/Red Bull Content Pool

Yuki Kadono has made a name for himself in the history of snowboarding in Japan, winning the "AIR + STYLE", "X GAMES" and "US OPEN".Although he participated in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where slopestyle was first adopted as an Olympic event, he finished in 8th place, and unfortunately he did not even participate in the Pyeongchang Olympics four years later.However, there is no doubt that he is already attracting attention from all over the world as one of the riders who leads the trick level of snowboarding that is evolving day by day.It may be a little early to talk about the next Olympics.But his challenge has already begun to add another page to the history of Japanese snowboarding.I talked to him just before the season in to approach his new determination.
Edit + Text: HaruAki

* This article is a special release of the interview article published in the January 2020 issue of FREERUN magazine (released on December 1, 2019) as "STAY HOME" special content.


OLYMPIC GAMES

"I think it's an inevitable passage point for me to move forward as a snowboarder."

-Did you watch the Pyeongchang Olympics?
Yes.I watched it at home.

-Have you ever seen and felt it from the outside?
I thought it was meaningless just to get out of the Olympics.Since snowboarding is featured in general media such as TV, there are many ways to attract it ... but many riders slipped for themselves.Now, I think it's important to let people who don't know snowboarding know more.If you're not interested in the first place, don't you try to know deeply?I think snowboarding is really cool, and for me it's not a sport, it's a part of my life ... it's like breathing.I wanted to move so that people would know the charm and depth of such snowboarding.

-If I had won the gold medal, something would have changed.
I want to go to the Olympics because I want to do that.I don't think I would choose that path just for my own honor ...It's a tough road, so I don't think my legs will stick in.However, there are some things that lead to what I want to do, so I wonder if I can put up with it ... There are things that can be motivated.

-What does the Olympics mean to Yuki in the first place?
It's only once every four years, and I think it's the most watched tournament for people who don't know snowboarding.Therefore, as an athlete, it is best to aim at it and leave a grade.But I want to be a pure snowboarder rather than an athlete.I don't want to concentrate too much on the Olympics, I want to try various things.

-What about the next Olympics?
I will aim.I will do my best to join the national team with good results this season.That's why this season's X Games, DEW TOUR, and US OPEN are so important.

-What made you want to aim?
I don't want to do what I decided to do once until the end.I haven't achieved any goals for the Olympics yet.Besides, I thought it was an inevitable passage point for me to move forward as a snowboarder.Hmm ... it's crazy.

-It's crazy.
Yes.When I was about 20 years old, my snowboarding skills and mentality fell sharply for a while.But now I'm doing what I need to do and looking forward.That's why, first of all, you have to be careful!Besides, I used to want to be with the riders in that area.Don't treat it specially.However, from the perspective of others, I seem to have become a special person ...Now that I'm at the top of the contest scene, I think that if I don't keep saying and fascinating, the kids who are aiming for the Olympics will go in a direction that I don't understand.

-... What do you say?
It's Mottainai to dream of going to the Olympics or to snowboard with that as your final destination.Have you been satisfied with doing the same things as other sports, even though you've come across snowboarding and loved it?I think that.I don't know anything else that I can do so freely, be different from other people, and express myself.Even so, I feel that many kids think that "snowboarding = tricks" is all about getting results in competitions.After playing an active part in the Olympics, I want to tell you that this is a passing point and you shouldn't think this is all.We're not athletes, we're snowboarders.

-What do you think about Japanese kids?
Is it stoic ... I think there are many hard-headed parents. "Become this kind of person" is forced on the child ...However, since he is the most important son and daughter in the world, I would like to bring out more things that only that child has. Isn't it like a cram school saying, "If you're aiming for the Olympics, practice tricks at a jumping practice facility"?If I couldn't do it, I would stay there ... It just made me hate snowboarding.From the perspective of parents, it may seem like a waste of money and time to just play, but for children, the time to play freely without thinking is very important.Because I have an important time and experience to really like snowboarding. It's not "snowboarding = competition".Playing with a single board. "I think this is cool, so I only have this".I think it's really cool for people who have something they don't have. I'm saying something that looks great, but I used to think that I could do tricks and think about it.However, people who face the snowboard too much and the turn has reached a dangerous area, people who drive only on the street, people who are particular about powder ... The shape of snowboard is good for each person, and I think each one is cool.Right now, I happen to be concentrating on the competition, but I have a lot of things I want to do in the future, and I think all of them are correct and not incorrect.However, the only wrong answer is that the Olympics will be the end point.That's why I want to be a person who can tell that this is not the case.

-Are you doing physical training to play an active part on the stage?
It's a daily routine anymore.It's the hardest thing to feel when you're snowboarding.Even though I'm snowboarding my favorite, it seems like I'm having a hard time ...That's the only thing I definitely don't like.

-It's a bit rude, but I got a stronger impression than before ...
I think it's because of the people who are always close to me and support me.In the past, I couldn't understand "Why is that so much for me?", But now I can.That's love.There must be absolutely a reason to support me like this.It may be because I took that feeling seriously and decided to respond with all my might.

This is the self-expression by Sumino who plunged into a huge hip at full speed and was released from gravity and entered absolute time.Photo T-BIRD at RED BULL RECHARGED 2019 held in Mammoth Mountain, USA


ATTACHMENT TO THE COMPETITION

"I don't hate losing, I think I like winning."

-There are many ways to express snowboarding, but what is the reason why Yuki is particular about the tournament?
In the first place, I like tournaments ... No, I think I love being the best.I feel like I wasn't wrong with what I've done so far!Also, that feeling when I became the best above all was really the best.I don't really feel it in my daily life.In other words, I may always be looking for the top of the podium (laughs).Now, just remembering it makes me goosebumps (laughs).It's so dangerous, and I think I'm in the tournament because I want to see the scenery from the top.

-Which tournament has the most goose bumps so far?
At that moment, my head was white and I don't remember much, but the most sensuous thing was the slopestyle of the 2015 US OPEN.At that time, I had only the feeling that I would definitely do it, and I had no fear of being injured.And I really don't remember the contents of the run from top to bottom ...After landing on the last jump, I naturally pushed my hands up into the sky, but I don't even remember what I did.When I got to the bottom, the riders who were waiting there lifted me up.I didn't understand why.But when I saw the replay, I said, "I did something dangerous."Gradually understanding the reality from a place I don't remember ... Waking up from a dream and remembering what the dream was like, right?However, the moment I received the reality, there was something in my head ... I think I'm still looking for it.

At the 2015 BURTON US OPEN, the combo that Sumino entered the zone and connected from the backside triple cork 1620 to the switch backside triple cork 1620 has not been successful since this tournament Photo : Chris Wellhausen
Photo: Burton / Red Bull Content Pool

-Are you in the zone?
I think so.You say you don't remember when you enter the zone.As far as I know, I've only entered it four times.But I didn't know how to switch it on (bitter smile).Hmmm, prepared?Or is it an awakening with a sharpened sense to the limit?Either way, I don't remember at that time.The first time I won THE SLOPE at the age of 4.Next is AIR + STYLE right after (Okamoto) Cage was injured.And when I talked about US OPEN and the following year, I won the AIR + STYLE Los Angeles Games for the second time in a row.Oh yeah, the next week there was X GAMES in Norway and I won there too, but at that time I won easily.Then, I became a tengu like "What? I can win like this" ...You probably stopped wanting to be the top.But at that point I lost.For the next few years it seemed like I was walking on a pitch-black road.Snowboarding is fun, but I don't feel like I can win the tournament ... I'm in a state where I shouldn't challenge the tournament.

A 16-year-old boy, Sumino, was the first Japanese to stand at the top of AIR + STYLE with Backside Triple Cork 1440.This is the moment when the history of Japanese snowboarding has changed. 2012 in Beijing, China Photo: Chris Wellhausen

-What was the new light you saw?
I think it was because there were a lot of people around me who could illuminate the road.Looking at those people, I can't afford to be spoiled.I thought I had to illuminate them with a snowboard.Let's illuminate each other and raise each other.It may be a bit arrogant, but it's hard for me to stay on top ... Isn't it easier to chase than to be chased?But that's no good ... I have to go through the road myself.Rather, I'm wondering who will do it if I don't do it now.No, I feel that all riders have to think so. "If I don't do it, there is no future in this industry."After all, it's the riders who are fascinated by the coolness of snowboarding.At this rate, there will be no snowboarders in the future, and athletes may just be snowboarding ...I just want to avoid that.

-Now, in order to get rid of it, do you concentrate on the tournament first?
I agree.I also just want to know how far I can go in the tournament.So, until I think I've reached the limit, I want to stay in the cutting-edge scene of the tournament where top-class riders gather.I want to cling to it until I feel embarrassed to be in the competition, both physically and mentally.Even if someone tells me it's not good, I like the tournament, and I like to be the best there.I don't hate losing, I think I like winning (laughs).

-By the way, what was your performance last season?
Last season, I dislocated my left acromioclavicular joint during the public practice of the X Games Aspen Tournament at the end of January.It took a month to heal, revived on COWDAY, and went to the US OPEN the following week, but failed to qualify ...It feels like you're third in the X Games Big Air in Norway after that.However, I didn't feel like losing because I was too sick until I got injured.No matter what I did in Aspen's public practice, I couldn't get rid of it, so I was so crazy that I could definitely win.I didn't have myself to keep it calm.It was my first experience in my life.That's why I was injured ...For the first time, I realized that this would happen if my tension was too aggravated to control myself.

Photo: Kyle Meyr / Red Bull Content Pool on the podium at the X Games Norway Tournament, the second race after returning from injury


CURRENT CONTEST SCENE

"If you don't appear in the tournament, you feel like you're left behind from that evolution."

-Do you feel the difference in ability between Japan and the world in the contest?
I don't feel much, but I may feel it for other riders.Is it good at tricks or snowboarding?I feel that there is a difference.

-Are there any riders who think you're good overseas?
There are many.Red (Gerrard) and Mark (McMorris) are all good.All riders have their own style.Oh, I also like Stare (Sandbeck) ... I can't help but say it anymore (laughs).

-Is there a standard for saying you like it?
It's a guy who has his own style.I like to see him slip and see him.It's easy to see from a distance ... For example, even from a distance, you can think "Oh, that's a mark".I like that kind of rider.

It seems that he likes riders who can be recognized from a distance, but this hand plant that can be recognized as Sumino just by the shadow Photo: Blotto

-There are some Japanese riders like Ken Otsuka and Ryo Aizawa who are attracting attention in the world, but are you impatient?
If I didn't feel impatient, I would be lying, but I know I'm better (laughs).I think I'm better at thinking about snowboarding instead of picking up one trick.That's why I don't think I'll lose even if I lose one trick.

-So can the tournament win?
You can win ... you can win.Even if Takeru has a trick that I don't remember, I have a lot of tricks that he can't do.However, I think the potential is scary. The first shot I tried by saying "I'll give it a try" will make me stand up.After all, youth is scary (laughs).However, I want you to do your best rather than being impatient.I want each snowboarder to enrich their life on their own.Also, in the first place, I think that the level of riders who will participate in this tournament is technically the same for everyone.If you're in good shape at that time, you can win, and if you're not in good shape, you just lose.Then, when it comes to winning or losing, I think the one who rides the most on that day and the one who thinks he is good will slip the best and win.

-Is that mental?
Yeah, I'm sure my mental health will slip.

-What skills do you think you will need to win the Big Air contest in the future?
Is it near the limit in terms of tricks?I think it's about whether or not the 1980 of Quad Cork will come out.I myself may end my competitive life without doing the Quad Cork 1980 ...If I'm lucky, can I stand up?Because it's a trick.Good luck or bad luck?Whether to enter the zone or not.I think it's about that level, and it's pretty gambling, isn't it?

-By the way, you've always said that you can only get better at competitions.The reason is?
Starting with the X Games Aspen tournament, the size and quality of the kickers installed there are high, and there are techniques that can only be done there.Besides, the time of the tournament is the most concentrated, so I can evolve there.Also, if you don't appear in the tournament, you feel like you'll be left behind from that evolution.

-But I think you need to practice before trying a difficult trick with such a big kicker ...
How are you practicing?I just want to hear it (laughs).

-Is it more important to polish your body than to practice tricks?
Maybe ... that's right.You may have no choice but to keep your body moving as you wish.Isn't it going to enter the zone or not?

-How about the slopestyle?
Since 1260 and 1440 are becoming more and more common in jump routines, I think it's important to make a difference on the rails, enter if there are R-type items, and accumulate such small points.It's like extending points with overalls.I think the jumping tricks are already pretty good in terms of level, and it would be great if 1620 came out on the slope.Therefore, how to create creativity by connecting from top to bottom should be important.Red has made such a slip, so I think he's winning now, right?His jumps are switch backside 1260, frontside 1440, backside 1440, which are not so difficult, but he uses R properly to set tricks and the rails are good, so he hits high points.

-Yuki is aiming for the top in both big air and slope, right?
of course.However, if anything, the slope is fun these days, so I'd like to do my best there.Big air was fun and focused for a while, but the slopes test your overall skills, so it's better to win there.Big air is like the one who was the hero of the day, the one who decided his heart, wins.

-Does Yuki have any fear in the first place?
There is so much.But I have no choice but to go and I want to win more than anything else.Even if I think it's scary, it's like, "I'm standing on the starting platform. I'm going to remove the binding and get off the starting platform now? No, I have to go."Isn't it the nature of snowboarders that can't be ridiculous?

It is because of the half-pipe skills that I refined when I was a child that I can draw creative lines even in slopestyle.Photo T-BIRD / Red Bull Content Pool, which was fascinated by pipes at RED BULL RECHARGED 2019 held at Mammoth Mountain

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 Yuki Kadono to readers
"Everyone, it was the 2019-2020 season when the season ended early and it was unsatisfactory. And thank you for your long wait at home! I don't want the situation to last for a long time. What we can do is avoid relationships with people as much as possible and protect ourselves firmly. I think that we are responsible for our actions. Do you need to go out? ”Think again. Someone's loved one may be gone. It's no longer a matter of others. Even if it's not 100%, you can try to get closer to it. I think it's a time when each person's actions are important.
It's hard because I can't work as I want because I'm waiting at home, but I try to think it's a really good time.In my busy daily life, time went by quickly.But now we can control our own time, right?Time to get up, time to eat, time to sleep.I can't be chased by time.Nowadays, there are many people who are working away from themselves to save everyone's lives.That is why I want to make meaningful use of my precious time.There is a limit to what you can do at home, but yeah.I want to feel alive and thank what is usually taken for granted.There must be many things that I haven't noticed.All to do your favorite snowboarding with your favorite friends and in your favorite places.-Yuki Kadono'