ASICS was founded in Japan by Kihachiro Onitsuka with a mission in mind: to make post-war Japan a better place. The companyās name was derived from the Latin expression, āAnima Sana In Corpore Sano,ā meaning āyou should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body.ā The expression hit home with Onitsuka and his vision, and he saw no better way than to make post-war Japan a better place through sports.
ASICSā Accolades
ASICS hit its stride in the ā60s and ā70s when people began to see its performance runners on podiums after elite athletes like Derek Clayton, 1967 world record holder for the marathon, was seen donning a pair of ASICS. Later, ASICS was popularized off the track when the iconic ASICS Onitsuka Tiger was seen in the hit movie, Kill Bill. This crossing of cultural lines in the media helped the Japanese-based brand gain popularity and ultimately explode in other key markets like the United States.
Top Notch Tech
ASICS has a long line of respected high-performance running shoes, but it didnāt happen overnight ā it started with an egg drop. Thatās right, in the companyās state of the art biomechanics lab, ASICS proved the effectiveness of its legendary GEL cushioning by dropping an egg onto their cushioning technology from a high point, and the egg didnāt crack. This GEL technology went on to become the bedrock of one of the companyās most epic models ā the ASICS Gel Kinsei. You can find this cushioning in other timeless models like the Gel-Kayano, which has been dubbed as one of the best high-mileage runners for over 20 years. ASICSā timeless running silhouettes have been a top choice by top runners for decades, and the companyās wide selection of retro sneakers and high-performance runners are always on the shelf at Foot Locker.
