The first-ever skateboarding Olympic gold medalist, Yuto Horigome, has secured a historic sponsorship with one of the world's oldest airlines, Delta Airlines, marking the first-ever collaboration between a pro skateboarder and a major airline.
The exciting news was revealed during an exclusive interview with renowned skateboard photographer Atiba Jefferson, shedding light on the perks of such a groundbreaking partnership.
During the interview, Horigome shared the exciting details of his sponsorship deal with Delta Airlines. One of the standout perks is the provision of free plane tickets for the talented skateboarder, allowing him to travel across the globe at his convenience.
"Yeah, free plane tickets, and I can get one person to fly with me," Horigome revealed with a grin. When Jefferson inquired if this meant a friend pass, Horigome confirmed, "Yeah, a friend pass and some money."
Horigome, who hails from Tokyo, discussed the impact of this sponsorship on his travel habits, particularly between the United States and Japan. "What's the max amount of times you've flown back and forth to Tokyo in one year?" Jefferson asked.
"Probably seven or eight," Horigome replied. He elaborated on the challenges of a hectic schedule, recalling the previous year's intensity. "Last year was crazy. It was really busy, and I couldn't make the schedule work, so I was going to Tokyo for two or three days, sometimes only one day, and then I'd come back. It was really bad timing, too."
With the Delta sponsorship in play, Horigome desired a more balanced approach to travel. "This year hopefully I don't go that much. If I want to go back to Tokyo, I want to stay a little longer, see the friends, family, eat good food, and hang out with a lot of girls," he shared.
The sponsorship opens doors for Yuto Horigome in the skateboarding scene.
It offers a glimpse into the unique lifestyle of being the first pro skateboarder sponsored by an airline.