It's been three years since she won the first gold medal at women's street at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. We sat down with Momiji Nishiya, who has gained various experiences in contests and streets all over the world, and asked about a video part that she's currently working on.
──MOMIJI NISHIYA (ENGLISH)
[ JAPANESE / ENGLISH ]
Photos courtesy of Alex Pires / Zander Takemoto
Special thanks_adidas Skateboarding
VHSMAG (V)： You have a great skate style. Are there any skaters that you get influenced by?
Momiji Nishiya (M)： Right now I like Dylan Jaeb. He's super consistent and his skate style is light-footed, I think he's cool.
V： How's high school life? You go to the same high school as Aoi Ishimaru and Aimu Yamazuki, right?
M： Yes. But we don't see each other much on campus, but school is fun.
V： Do you get any attention for being a gold medalist?
M： At first, but not so much now. It's mellow.
V： What else are you into besides skating?
M： I recently started jogging. I'm trying to feel healthy (laughs).
V： So what do you think has changed for you since winning the gold medal in 2021?
M： I've been street skating more after the Tokyo Olympics. At first I was struggling with cracks on the ground when I was trying to jump down stairs for example. I was skating at skateparks all my life, so it was difficult when I went out on the street for the first time. It was hard to skate on rough ground, but I feel comfortable now. In that sense, I think I've grown up.
V： What are some of your most memorable contests so far?
M： Winning the Olympics and winning the 2022 Dew Tour with a perfect run, landing every trick I wanted to do. Also the SLS Seattle in the same year. I first won the X Games in California and the Dew Tour in Iowa, then went to Portland to shoot street skating and compete in the SLS in Seattle. I had a ramen pizza in Iowa, which wasn't so good... (laughs).
V： That's quite a busy tour. You got your first 9 Club at the SLS in Paris this March.
M： I've always tried to get the 9 Club but couldn't get it but I finally did in Paris. I was so stoked and felt so good. It gives me confidence.
V： Last year you had photos of street tricks published in Thrasher too.
M： Those were shot by Haltac, Bryce Kanights, Alex Pires, Zander Takemoto... And by Laurence Keefe (laughs).
V： Laurence? Which one?
M： That 50-50 on a Minneapolis hubba. The drop on the landing was pretty hard. It took me a while to commit myself to do it, but I made it relatively quick. Chris Mulhern was the filmer and we didn't have a photographer. He had two cameras, so he had Laurence shoot it.
V： What's your favorite trick in Thrasher?
M： Front board on that wiggly rail. That took a long time. It was hard to adjust the angle of the boardslide because the rail was wiggly. And I tend to get scared before trying a trick... I try not to be scared but I always do. Kotora skates with me when I get scared so that helps a lot.
V： What are some of your memorable things in skating so far?
M： I was able to visit many countries. I especially enjoyed going to Deluxe in San Francisco because I get boards from Real. I also got to meet Jim Thiebaud. I first sent him a DM and Lawrence took me there. It was a great trip. I also remember eating shit bombing a hill. I put my foot down to slow down and got tangled up... (laughs).
V： So what shoes have you been skating in lately?
M： Forum. They're thick and protect my feet.
V： Who's your favorite skater among your adidas teammates?
M： Maite (Steenhoudt). I think it's great that she's so excited all the time (laughs). We took a picture together at the photo machine.
V： You're currently filming a video part. How's the progress?
M： I started filming after the Tokyo Olympics, but I think I'm still halfway. At first it was like I'd film because I was taken around, but now I can street skate more and I want to have my tricks filmed. There are many tricks that I haven't been able to film, so I'd like to get those tricks. Basically we film when we're traveling for contests because I need to concentrate on the Olympics. But I think there's something cool about street skating that can't be expressed in skateparks. I want to put everything I can do now and make it a video part that everyone will think is cool to watch.
V： Anything memorable happened during filming the video part?
M： There was one trick I couldn't land, and I was able to make it right after I made the bet. Lawrence and Kotora told me, "If you make it, we'll let you put on nail polish." I made it and was able to do them both (laughs).
V： Last question. What dreams do you want to accomplish in skating?
M： My goal right now is to win the Olympics in Paris, and to release my part from Real after that. It would be nice if one day I can get signature models from Real and adidas.
Momiji Nishiya
@momiji_nishiya830
She's the first gold medalist in Olympic women's street and skated for adidas Skateboarding and Real. Known for her light-footed skate style, she's one of the most skilled female skaters in the world.
