BY SUFIAN MOHIDIN
THE only thing greater than the sight of ferocious, acuteness and exciting tricks from Aori Nishimura – X-games World champion 2019 — is the degree to which so many don’t know or can’t understand she does.
Even if you’ve seen Aori Nishimura doing a “Backside-Misty-Flip-Switch” over a FunBox, you would likely have no clue about the depth of her determination to dominate. Some of it is that Aori competes in a “cool”, a modern-day sport that values creativity and freedom — a subculture where artistic individuality is expressed by pushing the physical limits — that has earned a spot in the Olympic Games.
More of it is that it’s the Japanese female skater who excelled and became number one at the age of 21.
X-Games coming soon?
Will Sarawak Sports Corporation send you to the X-Games?
“I did request for that bro… It’s the X-Games Asia 2022!
Shiooh… and in Japan “Do you remember back in the days when we had organised Borneo X-Games in the 1990s! Those were the days.
Going to the Japan X-Games… Wow. That would be something,” he said while slowly blinking and shifting his attention elsewhere.
“Bro you help me man. You see , when i asked the Sports Corporation committee, they told me that if I had an invitation letter from the organiser, they would consider my request.
Dude. It’s X-Games, how do I get them to send me an invitation?
“Relek relek ajak nak mintak invite” (urban slang for as if it is that easy), “ Denny said with a hysterical timbre.
“With the letter inviting me to the upcoming X-Games, then going will be up for consideration, they said.”
What’s your plan then?
“ I’m not sure yet, “ I hope you can help me figure that out, In Sha Allah somehow,” Denny said while nodding.
A day’s work for a skating coach
After the two hours of skating, Denny starts to make a final run and check on everyone’s progress. Denny and his two deputies go for one more skill drill — where they identify the one who seems to be struggling the most and join forces to help.
Here, they would have the other students warm down, while the three coaches help the selected student till he or she feels satisfied with the day’s progress.
This does not only include trick accomplishment but also includes visualisation, emotional and philosophical support. This is important because in skating, frustration can be overwhelming but that emotion also fuels the spirit courage. This is the adrenaline that every skater needs help channelling into their benefit.
“Skating is not just a sport, it’s your mind sharpened, your guts tougher, your compassion stronger and your sense of value and respect for others and the surrounding is also affected,” said Denny when asked about what Skate of Mind means to him.
“ Everyone at some point dreams of themselves skating and that shows it develops character from within and skating can develop our youth to become a community compassionate, awesome and tough — mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Now with three months to the X-Games 2022, what value would you think Danny and his team could bring back when they experience one of the greatest sporting events in the world.
If there are any sponsors, patrons, or organisations willing and interested to realise this opportunity and to show support for Sarawak’s first skateboard coach Denny, kindly get in touch with the principal of the school of skateboarding and Malaysia’s first Sarawakian X-Games sports coach on Facebook at www.facebook.com/denny.zfk.
Visit https://xgamesjapan.com/ for more information about the X-Games.
