"X Games" held for the first time in Japan Players interview before the opening of tomorrow

Before the world's highest peak action sports tournament "X Games", which will be held for the first time in Japan, will start on the 22nd, players will have a press conference, and skateboarding Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Yuto Horigome will be "best". I want to slip and get excited. "

"X Games" is the world's premier competition for action sports such as skateboarding, bicycle BMX, and snowboarding. It started in 1995 in the United States and has been held in 12 countries around the world, but in Japan. This is the first time that the event has been held.

Before the start of the 22nd, a press conference was held at the venue "ZOZO Marine Stadium" in Chiba City on the 21st, and Horigome, who won the gold medal at the skateboarding men's street of the Tokyo Olympics, said, "I will participate in the tournament since the Olympics. I'm really looking forward to it. I think some people will see new skateboards, so I'd like to do my best to skate and get excited. "

In addition, Rim Nakamura, who participated in the Tokyo Olympics with BMX freestyle on a bicycle and finished in 5th place, said, "I had no idea what to do at the Olympics, so I think this is a revenge. I want to run in response to the above. "

On the 21st, local elementary and junior high school students visited the practice tour and gave a big applause to the powerful jumps of skateboarding and motocross freestyle "MotoX".

The X Games Chiba Tournament will be held from the 22nd to the 3rd, with 10 events in 3 competitions.

Expert "A good opportunity to revitalize the legacy of the Tokyo Olympics"

Regarding the fact that "X Games" will be held for the first time in Japan, Munehiko Harada, President of Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, who specializes in sports business, said, "It is a great opportunity to revitalize the urban sports that were excited at the Tokyo Olympics as a legacy. Since X Games is seen by young people all over the world, it will lead to promotion for both Japan and the venue, Chiba, "he emphasized the merit of attracting the Games.

On top of that, "Beyond the legacy, there is'heritage', that is, inheritance, and in the future it is important how to incorporate urban sports into the lifestyle. In order for many people to recognize it, X Games Even if it is not a large-scale competition, it is ideal to hold a similar competition every year, and a long-term strategy is necessary. " He points out that efforts from a long-term perspective are indispensable.