Onitsuka History

The founder of the now well-known shoes and apparel brand ASICS had already led an adventurous life, when in 1949, at the age of 31, he entered a new phase in his life. After years in the military and having worked for a company who bought and sold beer on the black market, Onitsuka decided that sports could play an important role in rebuilding the self-esteem of the youngsters in Japan. He learned how to manufacture shoes and founded Onitsuka Co Ltd. It was the start of a company that would develop into one of the five largest brands in the world market of sports shoes. Preparing for the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, GTO, manufacturer of sportswear and nets, Jelenk, manufacturer of knit wear and Onitsuka built a regional sales office together on a piece of land near Hokkaido.It turned out to be the starting point of a historic merger that made an old dream of Kihachiro Onitsuka, a complete sporting goods company, come true. After years of negotiations the deal was finalised towards the end of 1976. In 1977 GTO, Jelenk and Onitsuka merged to form a new, strong and progressive enterprise. To find an appropriate name for their new company, the founders turned to the Ancient Romans and found an old Latin phrase: Anima Sana In Corpore Sano (a sound mind in a sound body). The world of sports welcomed a new, promising name: ASICS

Abebe Bikila

It took a little persuasion to get the legendary Ethiopian Marathon runner Abebe Bikila to wear Tiger shoes. As a matter of fact, up until 1957, Abebe didn’t wear shoes at all. When Onitsuka saw Abebe winning the Olympic Marathon in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia, he was worried about the future of his company. Abebe ran barefoot. The next year, when Abebe Bikila ran the Mainichi Marathon in Japan, Onitsuka visited him in his hotel. “Why didn’t you bring your shoes?” Onitsuka asked. “Because I don’t have any”, was the athlete’s answer. After Onitsuka had explained to him that Japanese roads are littered with glass and therefore running bare-foot could be dangerous, Abebe was willing to give the Tiger running shoes a try. Onitsuka hurried back to the factory and gave his technicians the order to manufacture the world’s lightest pair of shoes immediately. The next day Abebe Bikila won the marathon. He wore shoes ever since.

Even when

Even when my eyes are dry, even when my soul is tired, even when my hands are heavy, I will lift them up to you. It's not about how I feel, oh Lord I am here for you I exist for you.

Emu River Hut

The Emu river hut, tucked away in the scenic wilderness of Tasmania's North West Coast. Luxury accomodation for the oppulant traveler. As outstanding as the views from its room, the Emu River Hut represents classy five-star accommodation with top-notch facilities including running water and the finest chefs on call for extravagant spreads of fine cheeses and lobster. This truly is 21st century contemporary architecture at its best.

Athlete

Covered ground Just to reach your house I know we need to talk But I can't catch my thoughts Insides gripped Scared of what you'll think Words I can't repeat Could change all we've got.

Chances

Take all your chances while you can

Never know when they'll pass you by,

Like a sum the mathematician cannot solve

Like me trying my hardest to explain.

It's all about your cries and kisses

Those first steps that I can't calculate

I need some more of you to take me over.

If I had the chance to start again,

Then you would be the one I'd come and find.

Like the poster of Berlin on my wall,

Maybe there's a chance our walls might fall.