Did you know that the name ASICS is an acronym derived from the Latin phrase Anima Sana in Corpore Sano, meaning “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body”? The philosophy reflects the belief that physical fitness and mental well-being are inseparable. ASICS describes the phrase as an aspiration for achieving both a healthy mind and a healthy body through sport.
ASICS traces its origins to 1949, when Kihachiro Onitsuka founded Onitsuka Shokai in Kobe, Japan. The company was later reorganized as Onitsuka Co., Ltd. Onitsuka’s vision was to inspire Japan’s post-war youth by encouraging participation in sports. The company’s first major product was a basketball shoe introduced in 1950. While developing it, engineers sought a way to improve grip on the court. Inspiration came from the suction cups on an octopus’s tentacles, leading to a distinctive sole design that significantly enhanced traction.
Over the following decades, the company expanded its product range to include footwear for marathon running, wrestling, volleyball, and track and field. In 1966, it introduced the iconic stripe design that remains one of the brand’s most recognizable visual elements. The company’s reputation grew internationally as elite athletes embraced its products, including Finnish distance runner Lasse Virén, who wore Onitsuka shoes while winning two gold medals at the 1976 Olympic Games.
In 1977, Onitsuka Co. merged with GTO Co., Ltd. and JELENK Co., Ltd. to form ASICS Corporation. The new name was created from the initials of Anima Sana in Corpore Sano, transforming the Latin ideal into the company’s identity and guiding philosophy. Today, ASICS is recognized worldwide for innovations such as its GEL cushioning technology and remains one of the world’s leading manufacturers of performance athletic footwear.
From its beginnings in post-war Japan to its global presence today, ASICS has remained guided by a simple philosophy: exceptional athletic performance begins with a healthy mind and a healthy body.
