Tokyo-based skater Aori Nishimura is currently #3 in the world and #1 in Japan in the World Skate rankings, after taking third at the 2019 Street League Skateboarding World Championships and landing on podiums at two other World Skate sanctioned events last year, in China and Brazil.
Those results put her in prime position to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, where she’s among the gold medal favorites. She’s also been winning fans as a core skater, outside the contest scene, as a member of the Deathwish Skateboards team.
We caught up with her with a translation assist from her agent Miles Atkinson to ask her about her top-three ranking, appearing in the new versions of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater games, and how she stays focused in high-pressure contest situations.
I want to start by asking about all the contests last year. You’re currently #1 in Japan and #3 overall in the World Skate rankings, and you also won your second and third X Games gold medals last year, in Minneapolis and in Oslo, Norway. What do those rankings and results mean to you, and what do you make of everything you made happen last year now that you look back on it?
I competed in a lot of contests last year and looking back at it, I did well at X Games but I wish I did a little better at the other contests. I am happy that I was able to podium at a lot of contests which was a great thing. I’m not really focused on the ranking so much. I just like to do the best that I can at each contest and I’m sure the result will come with it.
What was the biggest surprise or best story from all your travels in 2019, going to all those contests?
I think winning X Games Minneapolis was the biggest surprise and the happiest moment from last year. I got really sick a couple days before the contest and I wasn’t able to practice at all from it. I honestly didn’t think I would even podium since I barely had any practice but I was really hyped to be able to win again.
How has the pause on the contest calendar and the postponement of the Olympics affected you?
I personally feel that there really isn’t any effect directly to me. I just think that there’s more time to skate and prepare for the next contest: I think it’s a great opportunity to work on new tricks. I think it’s the same for a lot of other people, so I think that the level of the next competition will be higher.
What’s something new you’ve been working on this year? Last time we talked you wanted to prioritize filming in the streets and not just focus so much on contests all the time.
I still haven’t had a chance to focus on filming yet but would love to film in the future. Right now I’m mainly focusing on getting new tricks down.
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I just watched the documentary Pretending I’m Superman: The Tony Hawk Video Game Story and was thinking about how many younger skaters were inspired to try skateboarding after getting to play as Elissa Steamer in the original video game. Have you given any thought to how it might inspire a new generation of skaters now that you’re a playable character in the new version of the game?
I think I’m the first Japanese skater to be featured in the game so I hope that there is more interest in the game and skateboarding in Japan. I really hope that my involvement in this game makes more people in Japan want to try skateboarding, whether they’re non-skaters, male or female, young or old.
As your profile has risen with your success, do you find yourself wanting to be a specific kind of role model to younger skaters in Japan and around the world?
I just feel that the understanding towards skateboarding in Japan needs to change and I hope that I can contribute to making that change in Japan.
What’s the skate scene like in Japan these days?
I think that there definitely are a lot more skateparks in Japan than before which is a great thing, but there still are a lot more skateparks in the U.S and also the quality of the skateparks is much better in the U.S., I think.
When I watch you in practice at events like Dew Tour, you always look super determined and laser-focused. What’s going through your mind in those moments as a competitor and as a skater?
I still get nervous for contests, so during the contest practice I try to create the same environment as my everyday practice. To do that, I usually listen to music, relax, and remember to have fun.
What’s something you’re passionate about, other than skateboarding?
I wouldn’t go as far as “passionate,” but recently I started playing the piano and I’m enjoying it.
What are you most looking forward to in the coming days, weeks, and months, and year before the postponed Olympics?
I’m looking forward to being able to live a normal life again, competing in contests, and traveling abroad.
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