What does your typical day look like, and what kind of training environment do you ride in?

Lately, I've been training at Kumagaya Quest, a newly built halfpipe facility where I can practice seriously even during the summer. I think it's important to take breaks from constant training, so I occasionally ride my bike or go out to relax and change my mood. I try to maintain my focus by valuing the balance between on and off time.

What sparked your interest in international competitions, and what was the pivotal moment in your career?

I became aware of international competitions soon after starting halfpipe, but the moment I truly felt I could compete on that stage was when I won my first title at the FIS All Japan Championships in March 2017. I went into that event determined to deliver results, so taking the win made me incredibly happy.
The turning point in my career came when I won my first World Cup event in New Zealand that September. I still remember the feeling of earning results right from my World Cup debut — it gave me the confidence that I could compete successfully on the international stage.

Was there a particular competition that became a turning point in your career?

It was the 2017 US OPEN. I still remember how happy and excited I was when I received the invitation to this exclusive event. My participation was decided at the last minute, so I met up with my coach at the venue, and I remember feeling both nervous and excited as I headed to the U.S. That result became the trigger for me to start competing on the World Cup circuit the following year. I was nervous and unsure at the time, but looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Please tell us about your feelings when you secured a spot in an international competition and the obstacles you faced leading up to that point.

When I secured my spot in the international competition, I felt more anxiety than joy at that moment. Various worries crossed my mind—would my riding be evaluated fairly? Would I avoid injury? Mastering the double cork on both sides was a particularly big hurdle. Getting used to the rotation and preventing my body from freezing up due to fear were crucial, so I focused intensely on practicing that. It's now become a very useful foundation for high-rotation tricks.

Tell us about your encounter with Yonex and how the brand's support has changed things.

I started using Yonex snowboards thanks to my first coach. The moment I tried one, I was impressed by how easy it was to control and how powerful the response felt. Later, receiving support from the brand not only provided financial help but also gave me a huge boost in motivation. When that support began, I truly felt that my snowboarding journey was about to open up to a whole new level.

How has your relationship with the brand evolved from your early days to now, and how has product development changed your riding style?

For me, the Yonex brand can be summed up in one word: "wings." Yonex empowers me to soar. It truly is my wings.
Now, I'm also involved in promotional activities for the REV, and I feel the trust between me and the brand has grown even stronger. Being involved in product development has also allowed me to further pursue the stiffness and shape of boards that best suit my riding style, enabling me to use what's optimal for me. As a result, I've been able to achieve greater "height" than before, spin more easily, and improve the execution of my tricks.

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.