Always Pushing" vol. 5, a new story built by Vans. Skater Hinano Kusaki hates to lose.

Always Pushing. Always pushing, always more. Recognizing this, Vans riders repeatedly challenge themselves to push the boundaries of what they can do. This article is part of a Series that explores the mindset and motivation of Vans riders who are always seeking to improve their skills. This time, we interviewed Hinano Kusaki, who competed in the World Championships in Paris for the first time, about her journey to Paris and her daily skateboarding.

Text_Shogo Komatsu
Edit_Amane Yasuda

---

I was only conscious of having fun.

-Thank you for the Paris Convention. It was your first time competing , how was it?

Plants and trees:. It was a lot of fun. But now that I think about it, I think I was too nervous to move my body. . I was a little scared of the crowd and the loud cheers. The crowd was really excited, and I knew I had to get on board.

-How did you feel when you were selected to compete in Paris?

Plants and trees:I was relieved that it was finally decided, and I was so tired.

-Did you feel pressure leading up to the competition?

Plants and trees:I started going to competitions after Tokyo was over and initially did not think about Paris. . My first world competition was the "World Championships" held in Dubai last February. . From there, the Paris stage started to come into view, and I felt pressure after I started thinking that I had to aim for it.

-What is it that makes you feel that you have to aim for it?

Plants and trees:I wanted to give back to the people around me. Rather than wanting to compete myself, the people around me told me to go for Paris, and as sponsors began to support me more and more, I wanted to go for it to give back to them.

-First of all, you wanted to live up to the expectations of those around you. Did you make any adjustments for Paris?

Plants and trees:I really liked Death Bowl in Annaka City, Gunma Prefecture, and I used to go there about five times a year, but I was banned from competing in Paris if I got injured. It was hard not being able to go to my favorite skate park. I used to relieve stress with the thrill of skating that I couldn't experience at other parks, but now I had to endure it until the competition.

-How did you release that stress when you couldn't go to the park to relieve it? Is there anything other than skateboarding?

Plants and trees:Seeing friends is a great way to relax. My childhood friends are also aiming for the world in motorcycles and soccer, so we complain to each other (laughs).

-I heard that you relieved your stress through girl talk (laughs). Have you tried anything new for Paris?

Plants and trees:This year, I asked Sota Tomikawa, who is also a Vans rider, to be my coach, and he taught me skateboarding from scratch, which was a new challenge for me. He taught me everything from pumping to skating.

. - you've reviewed it from the basics.

Plants and trees:It was really hard. I get easily distracted, so he taught me while lifting my spirits.

-What was your motivation then?

Plants and trees:I felt strongly that I wanted to show the world how I skated. I wanted to win for sure, and I didn't want to lose to anyone else.

-You have a competitive nature.

Plants and trees:That's right. I started skateboarding because my mother started, and I didn't want to lose to her.

-What attracted you to skateboarding when you first started?

Plants and trees:. I didn't find it interesting at first. But after about six months, I saw the speed and air height of Kai Someya at his home park, Axis, and I wanted to try skating like him, and from there skateboarding gradually became fun. Little by little, I got better and better, and then I started skating with the Axis locals, and they got me excited and made me realize how much fun skateboarding can be.

-I guess it was the "Axis" skaters who made me realize how fun skateboarding can be.

Plants and trees:. yes, I know. The "Axis" people were not very interested in the Paris games. But everyone told me that they had seen the qualifiers and that the final was very close. I was happy to hear that, but I was more surprised that they had watched it.

. - It was great to see him make a backside 540 on his third run in the qualifying round in Paris, after missing on his first and second runs.

Plants and trees:I was relieved, really, because I had one thing on my mind before the third run: I was at the beginning of the first heat, and even if I made it, I didn't know if I would make it to the finals. . I was at the beginning of the first heat, and even if I made it, I didn't know if I would make it to the final, and if I missed it, it would be the end. The moment I made the 540, I heard a huge cheer, and I knew I was going to ride it to the end.

-I think my stance of "let's have fun" led to a good run.

Plants and trees:. The result was 8th place, but I really enjoyed myself while skiing and have no regrets. . I still have plans to compete in other World Championships, so I hope to show a different side of myself.

He is a competitive loser who loves to win.

-There are many cool things about skateboarding, what excites you when you watch it?

Plants and trees:. I think the most exciting thing to watch is to ski at a high speed. I have always loved Pedro Barros, a Vans rider, and I want to be as fast as Pedro. Pedro is the reason why I wanted to become a "Vans" rider, too.

-You've been longing for it.

Plants and trees:Pedro is fast, high, and goes riding in dangerous places. . I admired that kind of skiing. . but I didn't know that Vans was supporting him. I started wearing "Vans" in the 6th grade, and when I looked up who was on the "Vans" team, I saw Pedro. . I wanted to be on the same team.

. - Your dream came true and you became a member of the "Vans" team, but you wear "half-cabs" as shoes.

Plants and trees:. When I skateboard, I always use "half cabs". Wavy" and "Kyle Walker" were in good shape, but "Half Cab" is softer and fits my feet better. The skaters around me like them too.

-I'm wearing "new school" today , is it your favorite outside of skateboarding?

Plants and trees:The width is wide and easy to wear , which is what I'm in the mood for right now. The surf line is 3D and cute. They are also very comfortable and exciting to wear.

-I also like the fact that you don't tie the shoelaces and wear them loosely. So, when do you get excited about skateboarding?

Plants and trees:For example, when we are skiing together at the "All-Japan Championships," I get excited when we are all competing to see who can ride this move first. . It's fun to compete at Axis as well. If we lose, we buy them a glass of juice.

-As one would expect, you are a competitive person, and you like to win.

Plants and trees:. I like to play and compete with others, not in competitions. . If we lose, we can try to win with different techniques.

-Finally, what are your goals for the future?

Plants and trees:I would like to shoot for a full part. And since I will still be in competitions, I want to make sure that people see my style, but I also want to get results so that I can be on the podium.

-What do you need to work on now in order to achieve this?

Plants and trees:I think the most important thing is to practice lip tricks that skate the edges. In shooting for the part, the cool thing to do is bowl or street. I think I am weak because the only technique of mine that I can use at that time is air. . So I would like to increase my repertoire of lip tricks that I can use anywhere.