2023.09.26

Interview with Sora Shirai: The Secret Behind NIKE SB, Supporting the Feat of Professional Skater Sora Shirai Who's Aiming for the Paris 2024 Olympics

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Pro skater Sora Shirai, rapidly gaining attention due to his high technical style, is known for his unique and complex original tricks, which are said to be unmatched worldwide. How did this shining Japanese star rise to become a pro skater? What makes NIKE SB, the brand that supports him, so good? We've asked some of these questions directly to Sora Shirai himself and sought his future vision intertwined with skateboarding.

"Honestly, There Were Times when I Didn't Find Skateboarding Fun"

Influenced by his father, who particularly enjoyed snowboarding, Sora Shirai started skateboarding at the age of five.

"I remember having a great time fully immersed in skateboarding when I initially started. Once I started competing, my parents got serious about it too. It was fun, but I also remember there were tough times," says Shirai.

Even during the tough times, Shirai is grateful for the support of his parents

Shirai explains with a smile. At the time, his parents were more passionate than he, and the gap between parental expectations and his own enjoyment of skateboarding caused him some strife.

"Though there were times that were fun but also tough, I kept getting better and better and didn’t really know when to stop. My childhood may have had more on the tougher side. While other kids were playing after school, I couldn't join them because I had practice... instances like these did happen."