Rim Nakamura: From being named after a bike part to starring in a music video, things you might not know about Japan's BMX freestyler
Find out more about the 22-year-old from Kyoto, who is set to compete on home soil at the inaugural stop of the 2024 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup.
Japan’s Rim Nakamura is regarded as one of the top contenders for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and this year’s BMX Freestyle World Cup title.
The 2022 world champion of freestyle park begins his 2024 campaign this weekend as Enoshima, Japan hosts the first BMX freestyle World Cup event on Japanese soil in five years from 22-25 February.
Nakamura claimed the overall crown in 2019 and is aiming to regain the title once again this year.
Here are some curious things you might not know about him.
Rim Nakamura: Named after a bike part
Nakamura’s father is a huge BMX fan, so much so that he named his son after the rim of a wheel.
According to Red Bull, that's the origin story behind Nakamura's first name.
The BMX freestyler was born in Kyoto and his dad introduced him to cycling as soon as he could handle a bike.
When did Rim Nakamura enter his first competition?
Encouraged by his father, Nakamura started riding a BMX bike aged three and participated in his first competition just two years later.
Quickly gaining recognition, by the age of 13, his online videos showcasing his tricks were attracting global attention.
In 2015, he secured victory in the U15 class at the Recon Tour in the United States, establishing himself as one of the most promising talents in the sport.
Rim Nakamura's father owned a BMX shop
Growing up, Nakamura had access to loads of BMX equipment, as his father owned a bike shop.
Named ‘Hangout’, the shop specialised in selling BMX parts and bikes.
His dad’s fervent devotion to BMX has significantly influenced Nakamura's passion for the sport.
Rim Nakamura featured in rap video
In 2021, Nakamura was featured in a music video by Japanese rap artist Anarchy.
Titled ‘High Air’, the rap references the incredible height that the BMX freestyler can achieve during his runs.
In the video the Tokyo 2020 fifth-place finisher is seen preparing his bike and performing various tricks.
Rim Nakamura's love for dogs
When naming his dog, Nakamura followed in his father’s footsteps, naming it after a bike part.
‘Peg’ is the name of the BMX star’s collie - the same dog breed that features in the ‘Lassie’ movies.
The pegs on a BMX, also known as stunt pegs, are short tubular-shaped extensions placed over axle nuts on the wheels.