Damn Am Japan 2022: Finals Photos
Posted
on
on Wednesday, September 28, 2022
by Matt Shail
Damn Am Japan 2022: Finals Photos by Matt Shail
Damn Am returns to Japan for an INSANE weekend of skateboarding. Here's how it all went down in the finals!
Photos by Matt Shail
Photos by Matt Shail
Toshi Iida
Toshi and Chris Blake flexing for the finals
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Sena Watanabe
Sena Watanabe shows off his heelflip skills and throws one into a front blunt.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toa Sasaki
Every skater in Japan was a big fan of doing this trick. Tre flip front board from Toa to kick off semi-finals.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Taiga Nagai
270 front board from Taiga Nagai
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Joetaro Saito
I am allowed to pick favorites because I am not a judge. I think Joetaro was my favorite skater of the week. His kickflip into this backlip was at least 4 feet over the rail before he hit it.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Murakami Skatepark
Hideki Ishii was filming all weekend. At one point I saw him focusing the lens on his camera with one hand and live streaming with his phone in the other hand. LEGENDARY SHIT!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Sora Shirai
The last Japan Damn Am winner Sora Shirai showed up...well kind of.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Kai Suematsu
Kai Suematsu had a solid selection of switch/nollie tricks. Sometimes you just gotta keep it simple - backside switch ollie over the rail.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Murakami Skatepark
It was raining dust in the park at one point. Probably from all of the Japanese skaters straight up destroying the place.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Kikujiro Nakamura
Kikujiro has a really solid bigspin front board.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Murakami Skatepark
Homies filming the homies!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Ren Suematsu
Ren Suematsu can backside flip nosegrind like nobody's business!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Jinto Shimizu
Jinto straight steeze spinning his body before his head can catch up with him 270 lip.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Jinto Shimizu
Coming back to the hubba for a front noseslide. Is it obvious that this center piece is all that the kids wanted to skate?
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Takumi Koyanagi
Another rare sighting of a trick over the rail. Kickflip this time around from Takumi
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Rio Yashima
Rio Yashima pressure flip into a lipslide. How? I don't know it made no sense.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Murakami Skatepark
I mentioned this earlier - Hideki with the double vision!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Sena Watanabe
Whatever Hideki was filming these kids were down with. The rare making of noise in Japan
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Frank Branca
Frank Branca running back the footage
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Takumi Koyanagi
Takumi Koyanagi thinking over his run
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Murakami Skatepark
There was a concrete bowl in this park! The girls were mostly skating it and they were airing out 6 feet above coping. It would have been cool to tie it into runs, but it didn't work from where the judges were posted up!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toshi Iida
Our dude Toshi getting those clips from the judges stand for me so that I could keep shooting photos!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Momohei Yabushita
Although all of the kids in the contest were doing them, Momohei owns the hardflip backlip.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Miyuu Ito
Got a photo of the all the girls together. Whattup!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Daiki Ikeda
I think that Daiki could do this one with his eyes closed. Robotic hardflip
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Taiga Nagai
Daiki looking back at the competition as Taiga Naiga shows off his Taiga style
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Jinto Shimizu
All the homies posted up filming the other homies runs. Ya love to see it!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Raimu Sasaki
270 switch front board from Raimu. DJ Wade's favorite from the weekend. I think there is a soft spot for him in my heart because he rides for Flip.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Taiyo Ishii
bigspin front board down the kink from the most stylish dude out there Taiyo Ishii!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Taiyo Ishii
Taiyo bringing it backside into a nosegrind down the hubba.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Murakami Skatepark
There was a film crew out here for the park the entire time. Getting all my angles!!!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Rio Yashima
Artsy fartsy kids photo
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Saw this kid playing video games on the sidelines. Get your priorities straight son!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Taisei Hamamura
There were only two people flipping out of crooks this weekend and Taisei Hamamura was one of them. Crook nollie flip on a round rail is nutty. Check the next photo for the flick.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Taisei Hamamura
the flick. To bolts. perfection.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Junnosuke Hasegawa
Someone pick up the phone. Junnosuke has these frontside flips DIALED.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Taiga Nagai
Switch Barley grind from Taiga Nagai. I saw a kid skating a Donny board this weekend
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Taiga Nagai
Barley grind followed up by the back 180 nosegrind on the a-frame rail.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Rino Hoshino
Off to the women's finals! First in was 11 year old Rino Hoshino who was built like a rubber band. She would fall and get right back up
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Miyuu Ito
Miyuu Ito back smith down the handrail
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Ria Tanno
Ria Tanno had these braids that whipped around while she skated and it was so sick. Front 50 down the hubba
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Ria Tanno
Ria with a high speed front smith down the rail
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
DJ Wade
Switched over to the fisheye and forgot to crop in before the candid shot of the Damn Am media team. Always a cool look!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Rino Hoshino
Rino Hoshino back lip. You'll definitely be hearing about this girl over the next few years!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Miyuu Ito
I'd like Miyuu to teach my how to back 5-0 because she could do these every time and land bolts.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Aoi Fukuda
I think Aoi Fukuda did 50 tricks in her run. It was insane! Front lip
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Aoi Fukuda
Front 50 on the a-frame from Aoi
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Aoi Fukuda
then over to the rail for a crook!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Miyuu Ito
Not many kids were throwing down the set but Miyuu Ito was. Hardflip
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Daiki Ikeda
Daiki chillin in the stands was an odd site to see. See you at Tampa Am!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Joetaro Saito
it's my favorite skater Joetaro back again, this time around with a backside flip
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Caught this dude passed out on the ground flat on his back. If I did that at my age I'd have to go to the hospital when i woke up.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Junnosuke Hasegawa
Junnosuke bump to bar kickflip backlip
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Junnosuke Hasegawa
Another angle of Junnosuke's frontside flip. Breaking the fourth wall showing the flashes off in this one.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Momohei Yabushita
Paul kept saying Momohei Momobye on the mic. Just thought you should know that. Kickflip backlip
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Momohei Yabushita
Momohei what's up!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Kairi Matsumoto
Kairi Matsumoto picture perfect tre flip on the bump to bump
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Kairi Matsumoto
Angle of Kairi's kickflip back tail from the top of the warehouse.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toa Sasaki
Next time Toa skates a contest I want to hear Ironman by Black Sabbath playing
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Sena Watanabe
Sena's heelflip front blunt out the gate in the finals. He tried back smith varial heel out during Best Trick but didn't get it. I was bummed!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Murakami Skatepark
boards, boards, boards!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Murakami Skatepark
Filmer of the year, Hideki, with the unreleased SPoT Bucket Hat
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Kairi Matsumoto
Everyone was doing hardflip backlip, not Kairi. He went hardflip front board which seems way scarier.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toa Sasaki
I still can't believe this run. Toa Sasaki 360 kickflip lipslide TO START HIS RUN
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toa Sasaki
followed by a kickflip back noseblunt in the middle of it. This dude is already pro!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toa Sasaki
this is one of those runs where you know immediately that the skater won. Everyone knew - including his friends
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Ren Suematsu
Ren keeping the hype going with a backside flip nosegrind on the bump to ledge
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Ren Suematsu
Followed by a Darrell Stanton style noseblunt down the hubba.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Sena Watanabe
Sena and the boys were hyped!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Taiga Nagai
Taiga brought the bigspin blunt to the finals!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toa Sasaki
Toa with the poker face on the sidelines.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toa Sasaki
Poker face followed by a cab back noseblunt. I with I could just regular back noseblunt!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Miyuu Ito
Miyuu and Aoi anxious in the stands while they wait for the women's results.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Kairi Matsumoto
I love this angle of the a-frame rail. It's always cool to get the judge's reaction in the background. Kairi kickflip back lip for 'em
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Kairi Matsumoto
Kairi was showing off on the hubba. Hardflip back 50!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toa Sasaki
Another kickflip back lip for the judges. This time from Toa
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toshi Iida
Toshi's Dad Akio helped us out all week with food, travel, and contest assist. He's a legend!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Matt Shail
If you won Damn Am you got my signature. It's not worth anything but you've got it!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Paul Zitzer
Paul has to take a photo of the results and enlarge them so his little eyes can read them.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toshi Iida
Toshi before he started playing rock, paper, scissors with kids for product.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Chris Blake
Chris Blake tried to get in on the product toss. These kids booted him!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Paul Zitzer
Zitzer presenting the gift of skateboarding to a local
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Give me dat hat!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Homie had a dusted arm so we hooked him up with a deck for whenever he returns to skateboarding. Bless up
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Ayumu Hirano
Ayumu Hirano is a Japanese Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding and happened to be the dude that helped get the park built. Thank you Ayumu!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Murakami Skatepark
Thank you to the Murakami City Skatepark staff for being so kind and helpful.
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Daisuke Hayakawa
Thank you Daisuke for giving us rides in the van, helping us get our visas, and EVERYTHING you do for SPoT!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Niko Sugimoto
Niko Sugimoto the second she realized she won the Women's Division
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Niko Sugimoto
Girl's finals squad!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Daiki Ikeda
Daiki didn't make the finals but he didn't leave empty handed. After winning in LA and the Netherlands he left with 2022 Damn Am of the Year
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Daiki Ikeda
Chris Blake was biting Daiki's style!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toa Sasaki
Luca and Toa hugging it out for first and second place!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toa Sasaki
Congratulations to Damn Am Japan winner Toa Sasaki
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail
Toa Sasaki
Toa's mom getting the photo in front of the squad. How embarrassing!!
Date:
September 28, 2022
Photographer: Matt Shail