Asics
Asics is a Japanese brand known for its wide range of sports goods for different sports. The brand was one of the top-ranked ones for its performance footwear. Their running shoes are widely popular in the Indian market.
Players Using Brand
Performance Shoes
Best Sellers
Brand History
Kihachiro Onitsuka Founds Onitsuka Co., Ltd.
1949 - After returning home from the war in 1945, Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka establishes ONITSUKA Shokai in Kobe in 1949. In the same year, the company is reorganized as ONITSUKA Co., Ltd. with four employees and a capitalization of 300,000 yen.
Later, the company name is changed to ASICS, an acronym for the Latin expression "Anima Sana In Corpore Sano" ("You should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body"), a quote from the Roman satirist Juvenal. The proverb is suggested to Mr. Onitsuka by a wartime friend offering business advice, Mr. Kohei Hori, who at the time is Director of Health and Physical Education at the Hyogo Prefecture Board of Education. The words make a deep impression on Mr. Onitsuka, inspiring his dedication to making athletic shoes with the aim of nurturing healthy young people through sports.
Mitsuji Teranishi is Appointed Representative Director of Teranishi Genzo Trading Company
In 1949, Mitsuji Teranishi is appointed Representative Director of Teranishi Genzo Trading Company, the forerunner of GTO Co., Ltd.
Teranishi Genzo Trading Company is established in 1948 in Yao City, Osaka Prefecture. In 1895, Jisaburo Teranishi, the founding father of GTO Co., Ltd., encourages local people to make hand-combed nets for hammocks as a side business, and begins sales of their products. Starting with nets for hammocks and sports use, the business expands into mountaineering goods, fishing wear, and skiwear.
First Basketball Shoe is Released
A Basketball shoe is the first sports athletic shoe made by ONITSUKA Co., Ltd.
At the time, basketball shoes are thought to be the most difficult athletic shoe to manufacture, but Mr. Onitsuka feels that "if he can overcome a high hurdle at the start, he will be able to continue overcoming other hurdles as well". Mr. Onitsuka gives prototypes of his shoes to players at one of the leading basketball powerhouses of the day, where the shoes are repeatedly tested and refined, until the first model is released in the spring of 1950.
MAGIC RUNNER Marathon Shoe is Released
At the time, marathon runners expect to develop blisters on their feet as a matter of course. Defeating this preconceived notion is the inspiration behind the attempt to develop blister-proof shoes.
Blisters are caused by the frictional heat generated by the impact of the foot on the ground. Inspired by the example of water-cooled automobile engines, water-filled soles are tried, but the experiment produces heavy shoes and soggy feet and is declared a failure. Next, inspired by the example of air-cooled motorcycle engines, MAGIC RUNNER shoes are created, incorporating an air vent system that circulates air in the shoe. Holes are opened in the toes and sides of the shoe, making it possible to pump out heat when the athlete's foot hits the ground using the bellows principle. This approach succeeds in keeping blisters to a minimum. The sole is curved deeply at the arch to ensure air is smoothly pumped in and out.
Kenji Kimihara (winner of the silver medal in the International Marathon in 1968) worn The Magic Runner shoe and and becomes a long-running product beloved by marathon runners.
Direct Injection Method Soccer Cleat is Released
The first shoe in the INJECTOR series is produced using the direct Injection method.
It is a spike shoe developed to perform on hard ground. The name INJECTOR is intended to symbolize a shoe made using the latest manufacturing technology at the time. Later it is also adopted for soccer and baseball cleats.
SKY SENSOR/X-CALIBUR Global Running Shoes are Released
SKYSENSOR/X-CALIBUR a running shoe line applying biomechanics in its product development is launched. The running shoe is the first to incorporate the EVA midsole and other cutting-edge features and is the lightest model on the market at the time.
ASICS Research Institute of Sports Science is Completed
The ASICS Research Institute of Sports Science, built for the purpose of carrying out research and development of sports gear, is completed in Kobe City.
The Institute is tasked with conducting more detailed and wider-ranging research into sports from a scientific standpoint. It is equipped with an all-weather athletic track with three different types of surface, two types of tennis court, a pool, an experimental gymnasium, an environmental laboratory that allows free control of temperature and humidity, a multi-purpose laboratory, a computer network system, a product laboratory, a sports medicine laboratory, and a training room.
Naoko Takahashi Wears Our Shoes
Naoko Takahashi (gold medalist in the International women's marathon in the 2000) wears our Marathon SORTIE JAPAN to great success in various competitions.
HAGLÖFS is Acquired
ASICS acquires all shares of Swedish outdoor gear company HAGLÖFS HOLDING AB, making it a consolidated subsidiary
Iga Swiatek Wears Our Shoes
Iga Swiatek (wins the international tennis tournament in 2020) wears our apparel and tennis shoes to great success in various tournaments.
Ｔhe spikeless METASPRINT™ track shoe for elite sprinters released.
The METASPRINT™ is recommended choice for elite and competitive sprinters. With no spikes inhibiting your stride, athletes will transfer additional power with every step and increase speed – and over short distances, every millisecond saved counts. he shoes provide an amazing fit thanks to the HL-O™ mesh seamless upper, which is lightweight and feels like a second skin.