Photo/Illutration Funa Nakayama is featured on the front cover of a Thrasher Magazine issue. (Provided by Thrasher Magazine)

Skateboarder Funa Nakayama proved up to the challenge of an attention-grabbing photo when she became the first Asian woman to be featured on the cover of the prestigious Thrasher Magazine.

Shown on the specialized skateboarding journal’s cover is Nakayama sliding along a handrail on the renowned 16-step stairway at a high school in Los Angeles that is known among skateboarders as "Hollywood High."

Nakayama rode down the railing with her board’s wheels while combatting the fear of the structure’s height and injuries. Her signature trick--the front side crooked grind--was captured in one shot last October.

The Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist in women’s skateboarding was also honored with the status as the publication’s second cover featuring a Japanese athlete following Yuto Horigome, who grabbed the gold in the Summer Games in 2021.

“I initially could not believe I would show up on the magazine cover that has spotlighted Mr. Horigome,” said Nakayama, 17, upon learning of her selection.

ROOTS AS STREET SPORT

Nakayama, who belongs to Murasaki Sports Co.’s team, made her appearance on the January issue of the U.S. magazine, in which skaters the world over are longing to be depicted.

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Funa Nakayama performs in a competition’s final round in the women’s street skating category on April 24, 2022. (Jin Nishioka)

Michael Burnett, editor-in-chief of Thrasher, said all the staff were very excited to see Nakayama make her way perfectly along the traditional spot at the Los Angeles high school without hesitation for the cover shoot.

Explaining why Nakayama was selected for the front cover, Burnett said that he expected adorning the issue with her image would wow skaters across the globe.

The response to the issue was huge. Nakayama saw her followers increase on her social media account, with many congratulatory messages coming in from a range of those involved in skateboarding.

As her appearance on the magazine helped Nakayama deepen confidence in her own skills, she said she can now “feel more secure in tricks.”

Skateboarding has been increasing its popularity as a competitive sport since its inclusion in the Olympics. It spread initially as a part of street culture in the early stages.

A lot of skaters filmed and photographed their moves using stairs and benches in town for records, and Thrasher has been serving as a symbol of that tradition.

“The magazine is the bible for skateboarders and is deemed as authoritative in their community, too,” said Masafumi Kajitani, editor-in-chief of a dedicated skateboarding website.

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Funa Nakayama April 24, 2022, shows off her medal as she places second in the women’s street skateboarding category of the world’s prestigious X Games contest. (Jin Nishioka)

Skateboarding has occasionally been viewed as dangerous due to skaters showcasing their techniques in public spaces to represent street culture.

Nakayama is dreaming of not only competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics as an athlete but also spreading the attractive cultural essence of skateboarding at the same time.

“Trying out a trick at Hollywood High allowed me to see firsthand how challenging it is to perform it on the street,” she said. “It may be difficult to have everyone understand it, but I would like various people to realize how cool street skating is, too.”

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