Welcome!
YOUR LOCATION IS SET TO:
United States
Would you like to stay here or visit your local Yonex site?
30th Anniversary Special Interview
Riders Challenging Their Limits
Ryo Aono
Born in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Ryo began snowboarding in fourth grade. He achieved the overall World Cup title in the 2006–07 season and became the first Japanese male to win the halfpipe at the 2009 World Championships. He also won silver and bronze at the X-Games. Known for some of the world's highest airs, he is one of the legends of Japanese snowboarding.
Ryo Aono has boldly challenged the world, carving out a history for Japanese snowboarding. His journey has long been supported by a strong partnership with Yonex. From his hometown in Ehime to the world stage, he’s achieved countless milestones. Now, he looks back on where it all began and shares his vision for what lies ahead.
What does your daily life look like now, and how are you involved with snowboarding?
Currently, I work in a completely different field as a professional. In the winter, I coach at events like the YONEX Camp, take part in snowboard development, and stay involved through various activities.
What first drew you to YONEX snowboards?
The initial spark was seeing an athlete I admired riding a Yonex snowboard at the same training facility. I wanted to try it too. When I first tested one at a demo event, it felt light and responsive, and I felt like I could jump higher myself.
When did you start aiming for the world's top international competitions?
When I was 10, I participated in a camp run by the Japan National Team coach. He told me, "If you want to get better at snowboarding, you need to have a goal." From that moment, my goal became to compete internationally as a member of the Japanese national team.
What did you feel when you earned your spot in an international competition?
Even after achieving that goal, my journey in snowboarding has been a continuous series of challenges. More than just chasing results, I wanted to inspire others. I believed that trusting my own foundation and expressing myself authentically would lead to my own unique style of riding.
What was the turning point in your career, or the biggest obstacle you've faced? What lessons did you learn from it?
The turning point in my career came at the 2007 World Championships in Arosa, Switzerland. I crashed on the first run of the qualifiers and was eliminated. Having traveled all the way to Switzerland only to be done after one run, I broke down in frustration and tears.
When I was younger, I hardly felt any obstacles. My career was a constant series of challenges, and I didn’t even think of them as walls. But as I grew older and my career progressed, I sometimes felt anxious watching energetic young riders rising from below.
There were moments I wanted to quit or just wished things were easier.
I realized that these feelings came from losing sight of myself, focusing too much on younger athletes, forgetting to seek new challenges, and comparing myself to others.
From that point on, I focused on developing my strengths instead of overcoming weaknesses, and on refining my own riding without comparison. As a result, I began achieving results again. Even now, as a working adult, I still believe that if you don’t compare yourself to others and instead dedicate yourself fully to what you need to do, success will inevitably follow.
Could you briefly tell us about your relationship with Yonex?
When my sponsorship began, I vividly remember how thrilled I was to be supported by Yonex, a brand I had long admired. I truly don’t think I would be where I am today without Yonex snowboards, which gave me countless experiences that fueled my growth. Even now, I take pride in being involved in various projects as a contractor.
How has your style evolved by walking alongside the brand?
I’ve spent my entire 25-year snowboarding career with Yonex. While I still jump and spin like I did when I was younger, my style has evolved into one where I glide down the slopes gracefully and enjoyably. Even when I feel anxious before a competition, putting on my board gives me confidence, and I truly feel, “I can do this with this board.”
Which Yonex board structure and materials suit your style?
The lightweight materials with high-response performance really help creating my riding style. I can constantly feel the response from the board while riding, which helps ease the fear during rotations and gives me the confidence to go higher.
When do you feel you've truly walked alongside Yonex? And what are your future prospects?
Every time I raise my Yonex snowboard on the podium, I’m reminded of the long journey we’ve shared together. Looking ahead, I want to keep building this special, trusting partnership with Yonex for the next 10 years and beyond. By competing on the world stage with Yonex boards, I hope to become a rider that the next generation of snowboarders looks up to — and for Yonex to be the brand they admire.
What aspects of Yonex snowboards suit your style?
CLIC, Treca, and IsoCore technologies are essential to my riding style. The rebound creates speed, height, and rotational centrifugal force, and using Click's swing weight lets me increase my rotation count.
Finally, please share a message for Yonex Snowboards as they celebrate their 30th anniversary.
Congratulations on your 30th anniversary. When I was a professional and renewing my contract, Yonex always gave me new goals to aim for, such as “I want to try this next year” or “I hope it turns out like that.” I am truly grateful that Yonex has always paved the way for my growth. I hope to continue this unchanging relationship of trust, and I wish for Yonex to remain a symbol of reliability, high quality, and a sense of luxury for snowboarders. I am excited to see Yonex Snowboards continue to evolve even further in the future.
