Rio Kimura | Sports & Culture

. Alex The Athlete. Drawn to challenges that physically and mentally demand more. Built on discipline. Proven through performance. Website is live. Check out the links in my bio. Shot by @treloren , clipped by @rio_kimura . @georgeheaton @247represent #alextheathlete #247onamission #247represent

Rare BTS photo of me 🤙🏻 (Idk why I chose this hand pose haha) I’ve been running for about 13 years. It all started as a way to maintain my physical and mental health. It still serves that purpose, but over time, it’s become a passion. (More on that later) Trail running is still relatively new to me, but over the past few years, I’ve grown to love it a lot. It’s definitely tougher than road running, but the views, the challenge, the connection with nature, dirt, mud, all of it is something I enjoy. Since I started pursuing full-time freelancing, exploring things I truly enjoy has helped shape my path. It’s easier to say that now than it was before, but I can feel my own evolution over time. I mean, I’m literally running on trails with a camera in my hand and I get to work overseas pretty often. I remember a time when I felt completely lost, unsure of what I wanted to do or even what brought me joy. I used to overthink everything (still do 😭), drawing conclusions before even trying. I struggled with confidence because of that uncertainty in my life. Nothing in my life is perfect and rigid, but figuring out my passion and actually living it is something I’ve always wanted. I’m not someone who can treat work as just work. I need love, care and passion in what I do. If you know me, my body and face speak louder than words, especially when I’m feeling joy and love or when I am not feeling any of it. This photo was taken unexpectedly, but I feel like my face says something. I’m doing this with joy, love, and passion. I don’t know what the future holds, but I hope I can stay real and true to what I feel in moments like this. Thank you @miwaza for a beautiful photo! #trailrunning #running #sonyalpha #growth #sportsphotography

Into the Himalayas Sharing just a glimpse of what it’s like trekking through the Himalayas. Hope you like it and let me know your thoughts! At a certain altitude, even the simplest things left me out of breath like squatting down, 5m jog or even packing a bag. I wouldn’t say I’m unfit, but my fitness level didn’t really help up there. Going through it firsthand gave me a whole new respect for those who specialize in documenting mountaineering or anything similar. This trek didn’t require advanced technical skills, but it definitely showed me a completely different level of challenge in these conditions. #nepal #himalayas #capturingmoments #trekking #sonyalpha

Last year, I had the opportunity to work on a project researching and documenting padel culture in Tokyo for @padel.magazine Earlier this April, they held a pop-up shop in Williamsburg, New York. A good chunk of my work is featured in the magazine, with both the front and back covers also being my photos, which feels really special. To top it all off, I used to live not too far from Williamsburg, which made the moment even more meaningful. Being published is one thing, but seeing physical copies in my old neighborhood is something else entirely. Thank you @victor.yu and @danthonyj for visiting the store and taking photos of the pop-up and the magazine on display 📸 #padel #newyork #magazine #publishedwork #padelmagazine

All I’m saying is that no matter which direction I looked, the view was juuust spectacular 🤩 Honestly you can take beautiful photos without looking! #photography #sonyalpha #nepal #himalayas #trekking

Everything except rugby actions @hksevens @svnsseries #hongkong #hksevens #rugby #sportsphotography #sonyalpha

Porter Stories – Part 2 In continuation of my photography series on the porters of the Nepal Himalayas, here are more images captured at lower altitudes. During my trek up to Everest Base Camp, the weather was clear and warm. At times, it was so hot that I trekked in only a T-shirt, which made seeing the way these men carry such massive objects even more eye-opening. Two sights I will never forget are the porter carrying a large ladder (made from some kind of metal) and the one with the stack of two-by-fours shown in this post. Porters range from the very young to the elderly. One of the porters traveling with my group was roughly in his 40s, while another was in his 20s. Age does not seem to stop them from hauling heavy loads. They primarily come from rural hill communities and belong to ethnic groups such as the Tamang, Rai, Magar, and Gurung. It is important to remember that their work is tough and entirely dependent on their physical capacity. Just because they are from the Himalayas does not mean they are immune to altitude sickness or food poisoning. They face the same risks as any trekker, but with 100kg on their backs. Crazy thing is, they were so much faster at hiking in comparison to tourists like myself who were only carrying a backpack. #nepal #himalayas #porter #sonyalpha #ebctrek

Close ups and details from @hksevens @svnsseries action this past week! One thing nobody told me and I wish I’d figured it out much sooner is that Sony was an official sponsor, renting out every piece of dream gear you can imagine! Honestly, I could have shown up empty-handed and still been able to do the job haha Obviously, I’d never actually do that, but jokes aside, being able to use equipment I wouldn’t normally have access to was a privilege. It was an experience I’ll truly appreciate! Teams 🏉 @nzsevens @eagles7s @teros7s @lasyaguaretes @officialfijisevens

Porter Stories – Part 1: High Altitude “Porters” refers to those who carry gear and supplies for tourists and businesses in the Himalayan region. During my trekking trip, I came across many of them. Some were carrying trekking bags, while others carried incredibly heavy items, everything from wooden tables and ladders to stacks of ltwo-by-fours.” My guide informed me that the general rule for a porter is simple: the further the distance and the heavier the load, the more they are paid. Some carry up to 100kg. They all carry their loads in the same way, using a rope strap placed across their foreheads. If the objects are larger than the porters themselves, they bend forward so the weight sits completely on their backs. They are undoubtedly the backbone of the Himalayas, but the reality is that a lack of economic opportunity in the region often forces them into this grueling work to make a living. They rely heavily on tourism. My guide told me he tried being a porter once, but he couldn’t carry a load for more than 20km. That experience motivated him to learn English and become a trekking guide instead. After trekking the same trails, I have developed a tremendous respect for them. Through my photography, I want to share the reality of their working conditions with you. #porter #nepal #himalayas #visualstory #sonyalpha

My first Rugby shoot @hksevens @svnsseries I immediately realized that 200mm is actually a ‘wide’ angle lens in a stadium setting 🤣😅 I’ll share more but let me know your thoughts! #sportsphotography #rugby #rugbysevens #hongkong #hksevens

Ama Dablam It quickly became one of my favorite mountains during my trek to Everest Base Camp. Standing at 6,812m (22,349ft), it is considered a more technically challenging mountain to climb than even Mt. Everest. “Ama” refers to “Mother” and “Dablam” to “Necklace” or “Pendant.” This describes the hanging glacier on the southwest face, which resembles the traditional silver pendant worn by Sherpa women. Because it is one of the most visible peaks throughout the journey, you see it from many angles as you pass through various villages. It maintains a powerful presence in the Himalayas, holding its own even alongside other world-famous peaks. Here are some of the different “faces” of Ama Dablam. #nepal #himalayas #amadablam #trekking #Khumbu

An excerpt from Issue 01 - Spring ‘26 In October we asked @rio_kimura to document daily life at @padeltokyomizumachi , which lives at the base of the Skytree in Tokyo’s Sumida City. The result was an intimate collection of photographs showing how padel is played in one of Asia’s biggest cities. The full essay is available in our most recent issue, which is available for purchase in the link in our bio.