BMX riders, skateboarders savor Koshien dreams in west Japan

NISHINOMIYA (Kyodo) — The dreams of BMX rider Rim Nakamura and skateboarder Sora Shirai, both fans of the Hanshin Tigers baseball team, came true when they performed recently at the Tigers’ historic Koshien Stadium.

Nakamura, the 2022 world BMX freestyle park champion, and Shirai, the 2023 world street skateboarding champ, only made exhibition appearances when the Dec. 23-24 BMX freestyle flatland competition brought about 130 riders from more than 15 nations to Koshien, but the two young Japanese could not hide their excitement.

“We are so happy as Hanshin fans,” they said.

The event, called “Flat Ark 2023,” was the first urban sports event ever held there and was part of the 2024 celebrations for 100th anniversary of the stadium in Hyogo Prefecture.

The park was built to house Japan’s iconic summer national high school championship, whose biggest stars become national heroes.

“This might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Yohei Uchino, a BMX rider from Kobe, said of competing at Koshien. “It’s a place filled with dreams.”

Uchino also served as a member of the event’s organizing staff.

Without requiring large facilities, urban sports have become increasingly popular as a variety of amazing tricks brings athletes and spectators together.

Skateboarding, in particular, caught the Japanese public’s attention at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, when the country’s skateboarders snapped up five medals, including three golds.

“Awesome! I’m psyched,” said reigning world BMX freestyle flatland champion Yu Shoji, who was among the competitors in front of his home crowd at Koshien.

Last year, Koshien hosted the Tigers’ three home games during the Japan Series, Japanese pro baseball’s championship, which Hanshin won for the first time in 38 years, defeating the Orix Buffaloes four games to three.