INPEX Athlete Employees

INPEX supports athletes who pursue their passion and aim
to be the best in the world

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Athlete Information

Triathlon

Kanta Ando

Snowboard Halfpipe

Mitsuki Ono

Deaf beach volleyball

Tatsuya Sei

Sport Climbing

Ryu Nakagawa

Snowboard Halfpipe

Ruka Hirano

Ski Slopestyle/Big Air

Gen Fujii

Triathlon

Kanta Ando

Profile

Joined INPEX
April 2024
Sport
Triathlon
Date of birth
April 26, 2001
Place of birth
Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
Height/weight
174cm/65kg
SNS account
Instagram Open in a new window

Major accomplishments

  • 2023 Triathlon U23 Sprint Japan Championship, 1st
  • 2024 Asia Triathlon Cup Gamagori, 7th
  • 2025 Asia Triathlon Cup Chennai, 7th

Message to fans

I will do my best in every race to share the view from the podium!

Q&A

How I got into the sport
At the recommendation of my parents
Athletic attributes and specialties
Breakaway, final sprint
Athlete who inspires me most
Hayden Wilde
Music I listen to before competitions
Up-beat numbers
Personality
I am a curious person
What I'm into these days
Snowboarding
Favorite drink
FANTA Grape
What’s been troubling me lately
I have trouble sleeping
First thing I do in the morning
Stretching in silence and darkness
Favorite season
Summer: I love the ocean and being around nature

Snowboard Halfpipe

Mitsuki Ono

Profile

Joined INPEX
April 2026
Sport
Snowboard halfpipe
Date of birth
March 5, 2004
Place of birth
Saitama Prefecture
Height/weight
155cm/50kg
SNS acount
Instagram Open in a new window

Major accomplishments

  • 2026 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina, Bronze Medal
  • 2026 FIS World Cup (Aspen, United States), 1st
  • 2025 FIS World Championships, 3rd

Message to fans

I will do my best to bring you lots of good news. Thank you for your continued support!

Q&A

How I got into the sport
My parents and older sister
Athletic attributes and specialties
Height
Athlete who inspires me most
Torah Bright
Music I listen to before competitions
Mrs. GREEN APPLE, ITZY
Personality
Hate losing
What I'm into these days
Reading
Where I would go on a date
Disney
Last thing I do at night
Games (Brawl Stars)
Biggest setback or challenge
Injury

Deaf beach volleyball

Tatsuya Sei

Profile

Joined INPEX
April 2017
Sport
Deaf beach volleyball
Date of birth
November 11, 1982
Place of birth
Kumamoto Prefecture
Height/weight
185cm/74kg
SNS account
Instagram Open in a new window

Major accomplishments

  • 2024 5th Deaf Beach Volleyball World Championships (Czech Republic), 8th
  • 2025 All-Japan Deaf Beach Volleyball Championship, 1st
  • 2025 25th Summer Deaflympics (Tokyo), 4th

Message to fans

Please enjoy watching dynamic moves on the silent sand.

Q&A

How I got into the sport
I was invited to play by the Chairman of the Deaf Beach Volleyball Association
Athletic attributes and specialties
Blocking by taking advantage of my height
Athlete who inspires me most
Bruno Oscar Schmidt (Brazil)
What I'm into these days
Studying Spanish
Favorite food
Mixed nuts (especially macadamia nuts)
Favorite magazine
I often read books about generative AI.
First thing I do in the morning
Prepare breakfast that I eat at work
Last thing I do at night
Put my child to bed
Biggest challenge in my life
I participated in a world championship while suffering from a bone contusion
Favorite season
Autumn: I enjoy the moment when the weather changes from warm to cold

Sport Climbing

Ryu Nakagawa

Profile

Joined INPEX
April 2026
Sport
Sport climbing
Date of birth
March 2, 2004
Place of birth
Osaka Prefecture
Height/weight
170cm/55kg
SNS account
Instagram Open in a new window

Major accomplishments

  • 2022 IFSC Climbing World Cup (Lead), Edinburgh (United Kingdom), 7th place
  • 2023 IFSC Climbing World Cup (Boulder), Brixen (Italy), 7th place
  • 2025 IFSC Climbing World Cup (Lead), Koper (Slovenia), 11th place

Message to fans

I will keep working hard and aiming higher. Thank you for your continued support.

Q&A

How I got into the sport
I started climbing at a gym near my home with my family
Athletic attributes and specialties
Dynamic climbing that makes the most of my height and reach
Athlete who inspires me most
Janja Garnbret (Slovenia)
Music I listen to before competitions
“Socialpath” by Stray Kids
Personality
Cautious and prudent
What’s been troubling me lately
Not being able to resist sweets
Where I would go on a date
To the movie theater
First thing I do in the morning
Drink plain hot water
Biggest setback or challenge
A knee injury during the Olympic qualification series

Snowboard Halfpipe

Ruka Hirano

Profile

Joined INPEX
April 2024
Sport
Snowboard Halfpipe
Date of birth
March 12, 2002
Place of birth
Osaka Prefecture
Height/weight
166cm/66kg
SNS account
Instagram Open in a new window

Major accomplishments

  • 2022/23–2024/25 World Cup Overall Ranking, 1st
  • 2024 X Games, 2nd
  • 2026 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina, 4th

Message to fans

I will definitely come back stronger in four years.

Q&A

How I got into the sport
At the recommendation of my parents
Athletic attributes and specialties
I specialize in challenging tricks in switch stance
Athlete who inspires me most
Scotty James (Australia)
Personality
Hard worker
What I'm into these days
Watching soccer
Favorite food
Ramen
Favorite drink
MATCH
Favorite magazine
GOAL
Recent worries
I have trouble falling asleep
Where I would go on a date
To the seaside
Last thing I do at night
Watching YouTube
Biggest setback or challenge
Serious injuries, including fractures
Favorite season
Autumn: Because it’s cool

Ski Slopestyle/Big Air

Gen Fujii

Profile

Joined INPEX
April 2024
Sport
Ski Slopestyle/Big Air
Date of birth
October 18, 2001
Place of birth
Shiga Prefecture
Height/weight
173cm/71kg
SNS account
Instagram Open in a new window

Major accomplishments

  • 2022 Stubai FIS Freeski World Cup Slopestyle, 19th
  • 2023 Bakurianni FIS Freeski World Championship Big Air, 14th
  • 2024 Beijing FIS Freeski World Cup Big Air, 10th

Message to fans

I will repay your confidence through hard work and results. Thank you for your support.

Q&A

How I got into the sport
At the encouragement of my father
Athletic attributes and specialties
Jumping and doing tricks that only I can do
Athlete who inspires me most
Akira Sasaki
Music I listen to before competitions
I believe/T.O.K
Personality
Simple
What I'm into these days
Surfing/photography
Favorite drink
KIRIN iMUSE
Favorite magazine
Popeye
Recent worries
Having a hearty appetite and eating too much
Favorite season
Spring: I can ski and surf, and the scenery is beautiful
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