Japanese Trials Rider Tomomi Nishikubo Makes History with World-First Olympic Ski Jump Feat

Japanese trials cyclist Tomomi Nishikubo has achieved one of the most astonishing feats in extreme sports history, becoming the first person ever to ride backwards on one wheel down an Olympic ski jump, a daring stunt that earned him two Guinness World Records after more than two years of planning and preparation.

The 34-year-old completed the extraordinary ride at Hakuba Ski Jump Stadium in Nagano, Japan, a venue built for the 1998 Winter Olympics. Balancing entirely on the front wheel of his bicycle; a technique known in trials riding as a fakie nose manual, Nishikubo descended the steep ski jump in reverse, navigating gradients of up to 37.5 degrees while reaching speeds of more than 60 km/h (37 mph).

The breathtaking run earned Nishikubo two official Guinness World Records: the steepest bicycle fakie nose manual and the longest distance travelled by bicycle fakie nose manual on a ski jumping hill. He covered an astonishing 136.6 metres (448 feet) while maintaining his balance on a single wheel for approximately 35 seconds.

Nishikubo’s achievement was far from an overnight success. The project began in 2024, when he first visited the Hakuba venue to determine whether such a stunt was even possible. His first full-scale attempt in 2025 ended in disappointment after 35 unsuccessful runs, but instead of abandoning the idea, he used the failures to refine his technique and redesign his equipment.

To prepare for the record attempt, Nishikubo constructed a 10-metre practice ramp that matched the ski jump’s gradient. He tested multiple tyre designs before fitting custom metal studs to improve grip on the steep surface. During later practice sessions, the extreme braking forces caused repeated equipment failures, including overheated brakes and the destruction of 10 brake rotors, underscoring the technical difficulty of the challenge.

The successful descent finally came in May 2026 after dozens of attempts and years of meticulous preparation. Supported by a production crew and family members watching from below, Nishikubo completed the run without losing control, immediately realizing he had achieved something never before seen in the sport of trials cycling.

Nishikubo, a former two-time Japanese trials cycling champion, said he was inspired to attempt the stunt after watching Japanese ski jumper Ryōyū Kobayashi set a long-distance ski jumping record. He wanted to perform his signature trick in a truly iconic location, ultimately choosing Hakuba because of its Olympic history and daunting slope.

The achievement has been widely celebrated across the cycling community, with athletes and fans praising not only the spectacular nature of the stunt but also the persistence required to bring the ambitious project to life. Many have described the run as one of the boldest and most technically demanding bicycle feats ever accomplished.

For Guinness World Records, Nishikubo’s ride represents a new benchmark in trials cycling, combining balance, precision, courage and engineering in a performance that pushed both rider and equipment to their limits. His world-first accomplishment is expected to stand as one of the defining moments in action sports this year.