Shohei, the winner of the Freestyle Football Japan Championship JFFC 10th, is currently one of the most talked-about players in the scene. A member of MONSTER BALLAZ, he excels both as a team performer and as an individual. This piece explores his passion for freestyle football and the mindset behind his craft.

Encounter with Freestyle Football

— First, could you introduce yourself and tell us about your journey so far?
My real name is Shohei Fujimoto, and I perform under the freestyler name “Shohei.” I’m originally from Okayama, but I spent my childhood in Singapore. During university, I lived in Wakayama, and after that I experienced a working holiday in Manchester, UK, as well as time in Sapporo. Eventually, I made my way to Tokyo, where I am now based.

— How did you first encounter freestyle football, and who influenced you?
Around 2008, I saw Cristiano Ronaldo appearing alongside the UK freestyler Billy Wingrove on a TV program, and that’s what sparked my interest. At the time, I was playing soccer, but when I entered university, I decided to fully dedicate myself to freestyle. There have been many players who influenced me, but the first that comes to mind is Sean. I was simply struck by how cool he looked—that was my entry point.

— How would you define your own style?
In one word, it’s dynamic, with big tricks at its core—but beyond that, I would describe it as “Yin and Yang.” It’s the contrast between “stillness (Yin),” such as sole stalls and freezes, and “motion (Yang),” like aggressive floor moves and fast, explosive sequences. I think this duality is very clear in my style. People often describe me as a power-type player, but personally, I also focus on maintaining a sense of ease—making everything look effortless and fluid, without showing struggle.

Freestyle Football and Lifestyle

— Why do you continue freestyle football?
At the core, I have a desire to stay outside the conventional system of society. Rather than living as a typical company employee, I wanted a richer life where I could express myself—and freestyle football was the means I found within me to do that.

— Was there a moment when your mindset changed as you continued in the sport?
During my university years, there was a period when no matter how much I practiced, I couldn’t perform at my true level in front of an audience. It was incredibly frustrating. To overcome that, I spent years turning my focus inward. Through freestyle football, I began a journey into the inner world of the mind.
I studied unseen “essences” through books—things like Buddhist and Zen philosophy, and even concepts like chakras—searching for ways to control my mind. I also practice Tai Chi on weekends, which serves as a form of “moving meditation,” helping me control my mind through motion, and it directly enhances my performance.

— What has freestyle football brought to your life?
It has given me many things, but most importantly, it has contributed to my growth as a person. It has also allowed me to connect with many players, both in Japan and around the world, which has been incredibly meaningful.

Behind the Victory at JFFC 10th

— Winning such a milestone 10th edition of JFFC—how do you honestly feel, and how was it different from past competitions?
I’m truly honored, and all I feel is gratitude. In past competitions, there were times when fear and distracting thoughts prevented me from fully focusing. But this time, my mindset was completely different—I was able to truly believe in myself.
In February 2025, I had the opportunity to go to Canada, and there I realized that performing freestyle while focusing inward is what attracts people the most. That experience especially changed my awareness when performing in front of others.
Later, in July, I was invited to an international competition in Germany. Originally, I hadn’t planned to compete in battles in 2025, but I decided to enter. The level was extremely high, so at first I thought reaching the top 8 would be enough. However, I was able to embody what I had learned in Canada, and ended up winning the competition.
Then in September, I won SSB (Setouchi Style Bomb) in Okayama, earning my spot at JFFC. At that point, I felt certain that this was my year—it almost felt like the universe had laid out a path for me, guiding me toward JFFC.

— How do you balance “winning” with what you want to express in a battle?
I think I lean completely toward expressing what I want. I don’t do freestyle football just to win, so in battles, I simply do what I always do.

— Could you tell us about your routine on the day and your mindset during battles?
In the morning, I listened to Michael Jackson to boost my energy. At the venue, I kept listening on repeat to “Flow Like Water” from The Last Airbender. I wanted to imagine letting all past emotions flow away like water, and simply existing in a state of flow.
During battles, when my opponent was performing, I would think about what move to do next. But when it was my turn, I intentionally tried not to think at all. I would only decide the very first move, and after that, I just let my soul take over and guide my movements.

Preparation for JFFC 10th

— How long did you prepare for the competition, and how many hours did you train each day?
I trained for about two months after SSB leading up to JFFC, practicing almost every day for around two hours.

— What kind of preparation did you focus on for the competition?
More than technical training, I focused on “raising my vibration.” I made a conscious effort to stay in a comfortable, positive state in my daily life, filling myself with good energy. In practice, I avoided repetitive drills that felt unpleasant and prioritized what I genuinely enjoyed. It felt like I let go of my “past self”—the version of me that carried doubt—in order to win.

— What were you mindful of in terms of technique and composition?
On the technical side, even though I was confident in landing my big tricks, I worked on improving their precision even further. I also ignored the idea of doing “twice” (repeating the same move twice), trusting that sticking to my own style would be enough.
As for composition, I kept it mostly random. There were moments during the competition where I might have lost if I hadn’t gone on the offensive, so I consciously switched into attack mode several times. I think it’s important to have certain moves that you know will land for sure when you need them.

— What was your training style like right before the competition?
I made sure not to force myself into training I didn’t enjoy. I avoided excessive repetition and focused on keeping my practice fun and engaging. I even practiced moves I wouldn’t use in the competition, just to keep things positive and prevent training from becoming negative.

As a Freestyler

— How do you perceive the difference in expression between a battler and a performer?
In battles—especially on a stage like JFFC—I approach it with an aggressive mindset, like a wolf hunting its prey. In contrast, for showcases, I perform in a state closer to calmness, focusing on delivering a sense of peace to the audience.

— What’s the difference in expression between team showcases and solo performances?
There’s a difference in the level of responsibility between performing with my team, MONSTER BALLAZ, and performing solo. In the team, I’m entrusted with very important parts, so I execute my moves with greater precision and care. In solo performances, I express my own sensibility 100% and place importance on a more aggressive, attacking style.
While team shows are, of course, created together, solo performances are entirely shaped by my own instincts, so the expression can vary greatly depending on my mood and vision.

— What inspired you to start DJing, and what has been positive about it?
I’ve always loved music, especially EDM, and I used to watch a lot of artists and DJs. I was also drawn to the design of DJ equipment and wanted to own it myself, which led me to start DJing. One of the best things about it is having a platform to share my musical taste. I’d be happy if my sense shines through at events like battles or parties.

— Do you feel you have any weaknesses as a freestyler?
I’d say I’m naturally introverted. I’m not the type to push myself forward aggressively. But that quiet personality actually creates a strong contrast with the explosiveness when I start moving, which I now see as a strength. Being introverted also allows me to observe myself objectively, which is another advantage.

— Do you have any advice for younger players who feel stuck?
Rather than thinking of it as “practice,” I think it’s better to create a state where you truly enjoy what you want to do. I hope they can accumulate experiences that can’t be put into words and gain a deeper, more fundamental confidence—not something superficial.

— What do you think is the appeal of freestyle football?
I think it lies in pursuing your own state of mastery. You’re controlling an unstable object—a ball—with your entire body, including your feet, which is, in a way, something almost impossible. That’s what makes it fascinating: you can experience that physical and mental peak yourself, and the audience can feel it too.

Future Outlook

— What are your goals moving forward?
As what you might call a professional freestyler, I want to increase my opportunities to perform in front of more people. As part of MONSTER BALLAZ, I also hope to deliver performances and visual works currently in production that are filled with each member’s pride and individuality.

— Lastly, what kind of presence do you want to be in the scene?
Through freestyle, what I want most is to bring positive energy to those around me. Just as I was once inspired, I want to be someone who can make kids look at me and say “Wow!”—someone who can move them, give them hope, and spread a pure, uplifting energy.

Closing

Shohei’s strength, which led him to the top at JFFC 10th, goes far beyond his refined technical skills. His spirituality—shaped through deep introspection—and his unique style that embodies the duality of Yin and Yang have guided him, through a journey akin to exploring the inner world, to a truly one-of-a-kind state of mastery.

Moving forward, through activities with MONSTER BALLAZ and beyond, he aims to become a presence that inspires hope in others through the energy he radiates. By continuing to believe in himself and genuinely enjoy expressing who he is, his journey will undoubtedly keep bringing positive energy to the scene.

Shohei Profile

Shohei (Shohei Fujimoto)
Born January 14, 1997, in Okayama, Japan
Affiliated with MONSTER BALLAZ / Air Technician

A freestyle footballer who has established his own style through dynamic body control and a unique sensibility, creating numerous high-level tricks. After achieving three consecutive victories in domestic showcase competitions, he traveled across Europe, refining his skills through street performances.

In 2020, he won the individual showcase category at the world championship Superball. From 2023, he has played a central role in the world’s largest freestyle football crew, MONSTER BALLAZ, contributing to the development of their show content. In 2025, after winning the international competition IFFC in Germany, he went on to claim victory at the national championship JFFC, earning the title of Japan’s best.

text and interview by YUTO YABUTA