Professional skateboarder Yuto Horigome has been signed as ambassador by Casio Computer Co Ltd.
Through this partnership, Casio will support Horigome while it seeks to raise the global profile of the G-SHOCK brand of shock-resistant watches.
Horigome has built an outstanding competitive record since taking up skateboarding at the age of six, including numerous victories at major events.
In addition, he has released a great deal of skateboard-related content that conveys the technical skill and creative appeal of the sport.
Through both skateboarding as a competitive sport and as part of street life, he has played a key role in the development of skate culture.
Horigome continues to challenge himself to reach unprecedented goals, overcoming setbacks along the way.
This approach resonates with the spirit and passion for never giving up, that drives the G-SHOCK brand as it continues to push the limits of watchmaking, leading to the ambassadorial partnership.
To mark the ambassadorial appointment, a special visual was created featuring typography by Verdy, an artist and close collaborator of Horigome.
In addition, a special movie produced by Thirty 3 magazine, a street culture publication with Verdy serving as editor-in-chief, was released on official Casio social media channels.
Along with these works, Horigome and G-SHOCK will continue to share new messages with audiences in Japan and around the world.
Together with Horigome, who is known for expressive street skateboarding and as a fashion and culture icon, G-SHOCK will engage in initiatives that support the broader recognition and continued development of skate culture.
Horigome commented: “I am excited to be able to partner with G-SHOCK.
“I want to continue taking on challenges in my own way, and at the same time do what I can to support the next generation.
“I look forward to taking on new challenges together with everyone involved.”
Driven by its purpose − “Through the power to put wonder at hand, bring new levels of joy to lives one by one” − Casio continues to deliver products to the world that challenge conventional thinking.
Among them, G-SHOCK − a unique brand built on the concept of absolute toughness − continues to take on new challenges, offering experiences of joy and inspiration.
Going forward, Casio will support Horigome and other athletes as they pursue their dreams, and help bring about moments of inspiration and excitement through sport.
Champion skateboarder from young
Born in Tokyo, Horigome was influenced by his father, a former street skateboarder.
By his early teens, Horigome had already emerged as one of the top skateboarders in Japan.
He competed in major international events from the age of 14. After graduating from high school, he moved to Los Angeles in the US to focus fully on skateboarding.
He had three consecutive victories at Street League Skateboarding (SLS) events in 2018 and 2019, and was the first Japanese skater to win the SLS London competition in 2019.
He went on to win gold medals at X Games Minneapolis 2019, the Street World Championships held in Italy in 2021, and X Games Japan 2022, establishing himself among the world’s leading skateboarders.
In 2023, he became the first Japanese athlete to win the iconic Tampa Pro competition and successfully defended the title in 2024.
He is also the inaugural gold medalist in street skateboarding at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and another gold at Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Now 27, Horigome is recognised as a global icon in skateboarding and as one of the leading young athletes in Japan’s sports scene.
This marks his second ambassadorial partnership with Casio.
G-SHOCK watches worn by Yuto Horigome
GMW-BZ5000D-1
A full-metal watch in the 5000 line that carries on the iconic form of the very first G-SHOCK.
It is equipped with a memory-in-pixel (MIP) LCD that delivers a wide viewing angle, high definition and high contrast.
The exterior design employs a new structure co-created by human designers and generative AI, developed through repeated load simulations using more than 40 years of accumulated shock-resistance data.
DW-5000R
A recreation of the first-ever G-SHOCK, the DW-5000C released in 1983.
The design stays faithful to the original, including details like the band length and the textured area around the band holes, while incorporating contemporary features such as a high-brightness LED backlight and the use of bio-based resin to help reduce environmental impact.
