[ JAPANESE / ENGLISH ]

Photos courtesy of ASICS Skateboarding
Special thanks_ASICS

VHSMAG (V)：　ASICS Skateboarding and Sci-Fi Fantasy video came out this year. How are you feeling about it?

Akwasi Owusu (A)：　I’m excited, hyped for both. Excited to start working on the next project.

V：　Were there any spots that left a strong impression during filming the ASICS video?

A：　Okinawa. Going to Japan and getting to visit Okinawa for the first time definitely left a lasting impression.

V：　Any memorable moments that stood out to you?

A：　Just all the cool stuff we did out in Japan, like playing chess on the beach and trying out fencing with Kyo, etc.

V：　Tell us the story behind your ender in the Sci-Fi video. What was going on behind the scenes?

A：　We were in Tucson, Arizona during a Sci-Fi trip. We ended up at a curved roll-in grind downtown. Everyone on the team liked the spot and we were having a good time. I tried noseblunt around it until my body gave up on me. I was having gnarly cramps. I couldn't get it but got close. We came back the next day which was also the last day of the trip and surprisingly it worked out pretty quickly!

V：　What led you to start incorporating wallrides and slappy crooks in your skating?

A：　My local park I grew up skating at, Spruce Ave Park in Rancho Cucamonga, had these rounded slappy curbs with metal coping, which was perfect for learning how to do slappys on. For wallrides, I used to skate in this tunnel by my house on rainy days. It had really good flat ground, one day I saw my friend Derrick do a wallride and started my journey to learning them. It took a few years haha.

V：　Your skating has a distinctive groove. What kind of background or influences shaped that style?

A：　Just doing whatever is fun at the time. I feel like my style has changed a bunch throughout the years. I used to love jumping, but nowadays it's a bit more low impact !

V：　You also make jewelry and have a unique fashion sense. How have cultures outside of skateboarding shaped who you are?

A：　I've always been interested in other cultures like music, art, etc. I feel like all the other stuff has helped give me perspective beyond skateboarding.

V：　Can you tell us more about your activities outside skating—like music and jewelry-making?

A：　I started playing the keys around the age of 13. I play by ear, I haven’t yet dove into learning the theory. I'd like to someday. I recently started picking up guitar and it's amazing. The jewelry making came out of my curiosity of how to shape and mold metal. I learned mostly through YouTube. Lately I've been experimenting with making micromosaics.

V：　Since joining ASICS, how has your impression of the shoes and team evolved?

A：　The shoes are great and the team is only getting better. You see it in the new ASICS video !

V：　Which ASICS model do you find yourself skating in the most when you’re feeling good on the board?

A：　My favorite model to skate is the Japan Pros! They feel good right out the box!

V：　As a skater, what do you look for in a brand?

A：　Authenticity and comradery.

V：　What can we expect from you in the near future?

A：　Both of the video projects I've been working on have come to an end. Time to start filming for the next thing.

Akwasi Owusu
@wasiwusu

Born and raised in Rancho Cucamonga, California. A member of ASICS Skateboarding and Sci-Fi Fantasy, Akwasi channels his creativity not only into skating but also into making music and jewelry. A new-generation skater known for his unique perspective and creative approach.