ATHLETE / AERIAL
SOUWA NATSUME
TEAM BANKEI
ATHLETE
Learn Fast.
Fly Higher.
Souwa started skiing at the age of four and began aerials in sixth grade.
He discovered the sport through the Sapporo Junior Athlete Talent Identification Project and went on to finish second at the All-Japan Championships in both 2025 and 2026.
With the flexibility and core strength developed through years of ballet, along with his ability to quickly turn coaching into action, he is working toward competing on the world stage.
ATHLETE PROFILE
- CATEGORY
- AERIAL
- BORN
- 2011
- TEAM
- TEAM BANKEI
- TEAM JOIN
- JUNIOR HIGH 1
- SKI START
- AGE 4
- AERIAL START
- GRADE 6
THE JOURNEY
-
Started skiing
-
Joined the first group of the Sapporo Junior Athlete Talent Identification Project and experienced a variety of sports
-
Joined an aerials talent development program and began aerials
-
Joined TEAM BANKEI
-
2nd, Hokkaido Championships
-
2nd, All-Japan Championships
-
4th, Hokkaido Championships
-
2nd, All-Japan Championships
02 / GOAL
THE NEXT GOAL.
This season, Souwa’s goal is to successfully perform his tricks from the double kicker on snow for the first time.
He aims to finish on the podium at the All-Japan Championships and take on international competitions such as the Europa Cup.
His next goal is to be selected as an SAJ B-designated athlete for the following season.
Souwa wants to steadily increase the difficulty of his tricks and gain more experience competing internationally.
His goals are to compete in the World Cup, World Championships, and ultimately the Olympic Games.
His final goal is to become one of the world’s best — a skier people immediately think of when they hear the word “aerials.”
03 / ATHLETE STORY
From Moguls to Aerials.
Aiming for the World.
In fifth grade, Souwa joined the first group of the Sapporo Junior Athlete Talent Identification Project, where he had the opportunity to experience a variety of sports. At first, he was especially interested in mogul skiing.
During the second year of the project, he was invited to take part in a new aerials talent development program in Sapporo.
Once he tried aerials, he realized that the sport suited him even more than moguls. The more he trained, the more he was drawn to its challenge and excitement.
After the program ended, he decided that he wanted to continue pursuing aerials and aim for the world stage. He joined TEAM BANKEI in his first year of junior high school, attracted by the opportunity to train directly under Coach Kudo, an Olympic aerials athlete.
04 / MY STRENGTH
One of my strengths is being able to understand what my coaches teach me and quickly turn it into movement.
Years of ballet have also given me flexibility and a strong core, which are important strengths in aerials.
When I train or compete, I try not to think about too many things at once. I choose one thing to focus on and commit fully to each jump.
BEYOND COMPETITION
- PERSONALITY
- IMPATIENT, TALKATIVE & QUICK TO FIT IN
- HOBBY
- FISHING
- FAVORITE FOOD
- MACKEREL SIMMERED IN MISO
06 / MESSAGE
Your Support
Helps Me Fly Higher.
Thank you always for your warm support.
Knowing that so many people are supporting me gives me the strength to keep pushing myself.
Winter can be cold, but I hope you’ll keep cheering me on with plenty of warmth!
07 / PHOTO
MOMENTS
TEAM BANKEI