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

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.

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."

Despite starting to compete from an early age, he struggled and went through a rough phase. However, things began to change when he started to achieve top-five rankings at global competitions.
 
"I truly began finding joy in skateboarding when I started doing well in global competitions about five or six years ago. My strength lies in making original, challenging tricks—body twists, sideway rotations, moves that nobody else does. I think trying new tricks clinches more points in competitions, and the spectators will feel excited as well. And so, I enjoy performing these kinds of tricks."

"I Prefer Vulcanized Soles Over Cupsoles"

Supporting Shirai's continuous attempts to explore unheard-of tricks is 'NIKE SB', which has sponsored him since just before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
 
"One of my dreams was to be sponsored by 'NIKE SB'. I was very happy when I received their offer."
 
Shirai's favored model is the 'Zoom Blazer Mid Premium' from 'NIKE SB'. Despite 'Dunk' being a popular choice associated with 'NIKE SB', Shirai explains his preference.

"Actually, I struggle with the cupsole mechanism that is specific to 'Dunks'. I prefer vulcanized soles, and the 'Blazer' model fits me better than 'Dunks'."

We further asked why he prefers vulcanized soles and this was Shirai's explanation.
 
"This is just my personal opinion, but with cupsoles, I don't feel like my feet are moving. Cupsoles are thick and stiff, which makes them excellent for shock absorption and durability, but they lack the control sensation felt through my feet, so the board-feeling (the sensation of touching the skateboard) is weaker.