History of Asics
ASICS, a Japanese multinational corporation, was founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka under the name
Onitsuka Co., Ltd. The company initially focused on producing basketball shoes in Kobe, Japan.
Onitsuka's vision was to inspire youth in post-war Japan through sports, promoting a healthy
lifestyle. The company soon expanded its product range to include shoes for various sports, such as
running, volleyball, and tennis, contributing to its growing reputation for high-quality athletic
footwear.
In 1977, Onitsuka Co., Ltd. merged with two other companies, GTO and JELENK, to form
ASICS Corporation, an acronym derived from the Latin phrase 'Anima Sana In Corpore Sano,' which
translates to 'A Sound Mind in a Sound Body.' This philosophy became the foundation of ASICS's
commitment to producing innovative, performance-enhancing sports equipment. Over the years, ASICS
has become a leading brand in the athletic footwear and apparel industry, known for its
technological advancements, such as the GEL cushioning system, which revolutionized running shoe
comfort and performance.