First season, three events, three wins. Juno Matsuoka came to JACKALOPE in 2026 and won every stop she entered: Ventura, Virginia Beach and Mississauga. That's 3,000 points and the 2026 Women's Vert season title, before the final stop in Montréal.
She's 15, she's from Osaka, and she still calls vert her hobby. We asked her about her first JACKALOPE season, the Samba Varial, and why PLG and Duncan had a lot to do with her coming in the first place.
Q&A WITH JUNO MATSUOKA
This was your first season competing in JACKALOPE, and you won every event you entered. Did you expect such results?
I didn't expect this at all. I'm incredibly happy with the outcome. It's a memory I'll cherish for the rest of my life.
What did you know about JACKALOPE before you decided to participate? And was there anything that surprised you once you actually took part?
The main reason I decided to join JACKALOPE was because Dave Duncan (the MC) was involved. Also, I've always loved the rivalry between PLG (Pierre-Luc Gagnon) and Shaun White from around 2011. I watched their runs so many times that I memorized them. Finding out that PLG was going to be a judge made me want to meet him, which was another big reason for participating.
Your first win came at the event in Ventura. Do you remember that day?
Of course, I remember it well. Bryce and Nina were both performing so incredibly well that I never imagined I would be the one to win.
After winning in Ventura, did you feel any pressure heading into the events in Virginia Beach and Mississauga?
Not really. The schedule was quite demanding, especially with the X Games, so it was more of a challenge to keep my physical energy up and get through it all.
Of your three victories, which one was the most meaningful to you, and why?
They're all meaningful, but the win in Virginia Beach stands out because I landed a "Samba Varial" during my competition run for the first time. I was so happy about that. The judges at JACKALOPE really value both technical skill and style, which I think played a big part in my wins. Thank you so much!
At just 15 years old, you've defeated some of the world's top-tier vert skaters. How do you handle the fact that you're now seen as the person everyone else wants to beat?
I've always just skated vert as a hobby; I never imagined I'd be competing against the best in the world. To be honest, that's still how I feel about it today. I've seen so many photos of runs by PLG and Rony Gomez that I've grown to love vert skating, but I also enjoy studying, playing the guitar, and drawing, and that hasn't changed. I'm honestly surprised that people are paying attention to me!
Who do you usually skate or practice with in Osaka?
There are a lot of kids at the practice facility in Osaka. Since I'd head there after school for about two hours, four to five days a week, I didn't have much time to spare. I'd just focus quietly on my own skating, work on specific goals, and then head straight home. I did skate with Ema-kun, who's known globally!
You'll be competing in every event for the 2027 season; which location, including Montréal, are you most looking forward to visiting?
I really like Ventura! I've never been to Montréal, so I'm excited to go there.
Who was the person who first got you onto a vert ramp?
I always used to go to the practice facility with my mom.
If you had to describe the 2026 season in three phrases, what would they be?
- I gave it my absolute all and completed everything I set out to do!
- Thank you to everyone who watched me skate!
- I love everyone involved with JACKALOPE, especially Duncan-san!
Who would you like to express your gratitude to?
JACKALOPE is the best vert competition out there. I really felt that! It's so stylish and full of energy that it deserves to be even more well-known globally. I'm so grateful to the organizers, the athletes who gathered from all over the world, and the spectators who came to watch!
