Yuto Horigome won a historic gold medal at the 2022 Olympics—the first year skateboarding was introduced to the Games—basically achieving one of the biggest modern feats in the world of skateboarding when he was just 22 years old. So the question is: Where do you possibly go from there?
It’s a question that Yuto, now 24, spent the last year trying to answer. It's taken him back to his roots—skating in parks and hanging with his hometown friends—as he personally redefines what “success” really means.
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"After the Olympics, my life completely changed," says Yuto. As the spotlight burns brighter, so does the fame, and that always comes with a price. Every podium placement he stands atop often means sacrificing another degree of freedom for a young skater still deeply passionate about the culture. Finding a balance between fun and profession is always harder than it seems.
I thought this quote from the clip was pretty powerful. It's a real look inside this incredible 24-year-olds golden mind. "Now I'm not really sure what to do next. There's times when I feel like I'm not really sure who I am. It's like I'm battling with myself." Yuto is pretty philosophical and calculated when it comes to skateboarding and his current career within it. It's pretty insightful seeing this side of it all.
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Finding clarity after such a monumental feat like Olympic gold is probably more difficult than most people imagine. The most talented people on the planet are often inspired by some form of adversity; something to strive for and put every ounce of their effort into. So, while hard work certainly pays off, it's just a reminder that the same hard work never ends. It can't. The desire to succeed and progress can be addicting.
Thankfully, that's what separates the greats from the rest.
Video / @yutohorigome @nikesb
