Ryo Aono, who won the first overall victory for a Japanese boy in the Snowboard World Cup, was born in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, and has a history of growing up at the indoor ski resort of Across Shigenobu.
He won the 2009 Snowboard World Championship as a half-pipe boy, became the first Japanese to win the Snowboard World Championship, and in 2010 he represented Japan at the Vancouver 9 Olympic Winter Games, advancing to the final and finishing XNUMXth. In an interview, I would like to share with him his efforts on snowboarding and his aspirations for the future.
■ What made you start snowboarding?
The trigger was when my mother's sister originally snowboarded and went to cheer for a tournament in a local mountain.So I decided to try it myself.At that time, I was about 9 or 10 years old, so I have been snowboarding for 13 years.
So you're snowboarding for more than half of your life.
The first tournament I participated in in my life was a slalom tournament.I think it's been about a year for the first time.The result is 1rd out of 3 (laughs)
■ How about looking back on the whole 12-13 season?
There were a lot of injuries last season.It was a season when I couldn't agree with the results of the tournament.I'm healed now, but I was injured three times in November, February, and March, but due to that, I canceled the tournament.
So I think I couldn't go to the tournament more than I had planned.When practicing tricks, I practice doubles when the snow is soft to improve the perfection, and I also practice switches.
■ When did you start skateboarding?
I think it was about 3 years ago. Shoto Tsutsumi, who I went with in NZ, was good at skating and taught me.Then I felt it was interesting.Until then, I didn't have an environment where I could be taught so much, but that was the trigger for me to do it.
■ Does skateboarding practice lead to snowboarding improvement?Can you recommend it as an off-train?
I'm riding sideways together, and I think there are some, but the influence of starting skating hasn't been seen yet.But my stance has narrowed.It may have become more like a skating stance.I skate in Tokyo about once a week.I'm also slipping at the nearby Komazawa Park.The school is near, so it feels like I'm going to hang out after the school is over.
I usually only do flat tricks.Did you start practicing lamps properly after you came to Tokyo?The environment in Ehime was just flat.It was sad that the park was gradually closed in Ehime's skating environment, probably because skaters are not a very good image on the surface.
■ Do you carry a gen?
It's not like carrying a gen.It's a type that is fairly easy to lift, so I clap my hands and return myself.It's more about the number of people than the size of the tournament.
Two years ago, the X game was the most nervous about the number of people.The excitement was so great that I thought I was a star.After that, I don't listen to music when I'm slipping.When I'm slipping, I want to hear the sound of slipping.The same is true when skating.If I keep listening to music, I don't feel like I'm slipping.
■ In recent years, 3D tricks such as double cork have become mainstream, but are there any parts that you are particular about in your own slip and that you do not want to lose to anyone?
I'm particular about flat spins and I don't want to lose!Also, the others are "momentum".
I definitely don't want to lose to young teenagers!Especially "momentum"! (Lol
■ What kind of slip do you want to do in the actual performance if you are selected as the representative of the Olympics?
I want to make a slip that attracts and excites the viewers.
■ Please tell us your future plans
For the time being, I am aiming for the Olympics this season, so I will do my best with a half pipe.After the Olympics, I want to ski free runs and parks as I like.
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Interviewed and edited by