Takeru Otsuka
Judging from his contest runs, Takeru Otsuka’s earned an advanced degree in flight mathematics even before graduating high school.
Modern big air and slopestyle competitions can seem like a rotational arms race. But Takeru is savvy enough to throw the most technical tricks with fully extended grabs and ultra-clean control. Coming up hot through the international ranks, his recent World Cup and X Games wins show that style and stomp are high on this Japanese up-and-comer’s priorities.
Hometown: Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
Birthday: April 2, 2001