When you have a niche, you capitalize on it. Whether it be a sport, training regiment, exercise, or specific segment of the sportswear market, you go all-in on what helps to set you apart.
That’s what ASICS is all about. Sure, it dips into the overall athletics space as it has expanded within recent years to include athleisure, casual, and multi-faceted sportswear lines. But ASICS doesn’t necessarily compete head-to-head at all times with Nike, Adidas, and other athletic-based brands. The bread and butter of this brand has always been in its shoes. More specifically, it’s running shoes. It’s no surprise that of the seven athletes listed below, the majority of them utilize ASICS technology year-round to amplify their talents and best-prepare for the challenge ahead.
ASICS is set apart from its competitors due to the sheer dedication and refinement over the years to staying true to their product offerings, continuing to improve the base of everything they do. Their athlete ambassadors from around the globe, including the ones mentioned below, are often lifelong users of the brand and recall their first set of performance shoes being a pair of ASICS. While the root of the company dates back to 1977, its technology and innovations are consistently up-to-date and cutting-edge.
7. Deena Kastor | Distance Runner
Instagram Following: 40,300
Facebook Following: 4,000
Twitter Following: 32,300
Total Following: 76,600
The running icon has repped ASICS during many victories throughout her career. She has helped vault the brand to unparalleled heights during her achievements as the American Record Holder in the marathon and half marathon, 2006 #1 ranked marathon runner, and winner of the 2005 Chicago Marathon and 2006 London Marathon.
6. Flora Duffy | Triathlete
Instagram Following: 61,000
Twitter Following: 12,500
Facebook Following: N/A
Total Following: 73,500
A frontrunner heading into Tokyo 2020, the distance runner promoted the ASICS World Ekiden 2020, a virtual marathon-distance relay race, to encourage active exercise participation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. CoCo Vandeweghe | WTA
Instagram Following: 70,000
Twitter Following: 71,000
Facebook Following: 55,000
Total Following: 196,000
Vandeweghe has achieved much success in her ever-growing career. She utilizes her on-court talent to represent ASICS within her matchday apparel.
4. Queen Quedith Claye (Harrison) | Track & Field
Instagram Following: 106,000
Twitter Following: 166,000
Facebook Following: 91,000
Total Following: 363,000
Claye has been with the ASICS family since 2014 having signed her sponsorship deal with the brand during the lead up to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The hurdler’s first pair of spikes were ASICS and she has incorporated the athletics brand into her daily lifestyle as she sports branded running shoes and apparel during competition.
3. Julia Goerges | WTA
Instagram Following: 159,000
Twitter Following: 179,000
Facebook Following: 51,000
Total Following: 389,000
Goerges signed with the sportswear brand back in 2016 when ASICS was the number one footwear brand in her native Germany. As part her role as a global tennis ambassador, Georges outfits her wardrobe with the latest ASICS’ apparel, footwear, and accessories for her use during competition.
2. Jordan Burroughs | Olympic Wrestling
Instagram Following: 648,000
Twitter Following: 244,000
Facebook Following: 155,000
Total Following: 1 million
Burroughs reps the ASICS brand within his social media and during applicable competitions. Asics.com also hosts a collection of his wrestling shoes that are available for purchase.
1. Novak Djokovic | ATP
Instagram Following: 7.8 million
Twitter Following: 8.7 million
Facebook Following: 9,4 million
Total Following: 25.9 million
The tennis superstar signed with the athletics brand back in 2018, kicking off the sponsorship with an exclusive tennis shoe line. Having racked up tournament victories and individual achievements along the way, the 16-time Grand Slam winner has been a prominent figure for the company, spearheading their tennis division with multiple shoe line releases and aiding in overall awareness to new product developments.
Djokovic has been busy with the brand during the COVID-19 pandemic. He shared his favorite pair of ASICS on his social media as a symbol of solidarity for those unable to play the sports they love as a result of these uncertain times. He used hashtag #SoundMindSoundBody which harkens back to ASICS name: an acronym for the Latin phrase “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano” which translates to “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body”.
The athlete social following from this list generates a combined 27+ million online presence that helps to captivate fans and drive additional revenue. It’s no wonder that fans often run to the store (or their computer during COVID-19 times) in order to purchase the running shoes of their favorite athlete.
