福岡市の理容師（35）が世界理美容技術選手権大会で金メダル　2本のくしを使って・・・まるで芸術品のような髪型

A man in Fukuoka City has won gold medals for two consecutive years at a world barbering competition. This reporter also had the opportunity to experience his world-class skills. Gold Medal at the World Hairdressing Championships The man skillfully manipulating the scissors is barber Akimitsu Hirano (35). In 2024, Mr. Hirano won a gold medal at the World Hairdressing Championships held in Paris, France. Furthermore, in 2025, he won gold medals in two categories and also won the national team competition. Akimitsu Hirano "I was so happy (when I won). Everyone was like, 'Wow!', but I was the only one who was like, 'Is this really me?' I was a beat late in celebrating, like, 'Finally, I've won!'" The World's Best Hairstyle: Like a Work of Art Last year, we were shown the hairstyle called "Classic Fade" that won him the world championship. Akihito Hirano: "I've learned through years of practice that because the hair lies flat, you have to be very careful with the tip of the brush." ​​This is a traditional hairstyle with the back of the head shaved short and a smooth gradient towards the top. One of the scoring points is the beautifully carved "grooves" between the hair strands. These are shaped like works of art using two combs. Akihito Hirano: "Especially with the undercut, the world sees Japan as a country where undercuts are done beautifully. It seems you can feel the difference, and customers appreciate that." Customers proudly say, "I often get compliments on my hairstyle." Everyone who gets their hair cut by Mr. Hirano seems proud. Customer: "The attention to detail when cutting is really impressive." Customer: "I've been getting so many compliments like, 'You're incredibly skilled,' and 'I like this hairstyle,' ever since I started having Mr. Hirano do my hair. He's the best in the world, not just the number one in his town, he's amazing." Akira Hirano: "Thanks." Customer: "It's the best, as always." Mr. Hirano has mastered various styles in order to win on the world stage. He has earned the deep trust of the owner and his juniors. Yuki Ikebe, Yamaguchi Toushell: "He tailors his cutting style to each customer, and the scissors he uses too; the attention to detail is really amazing." Takashi Yamaguchi, Owner, Yamaguchi Toushell: "When it's time to work, he suddenly switches into work mode, his eyes change, and his concentration is incredible." His first customer for his "own shop" was his barber father. Mr. Hirano has honed his skills at this shop for 17 years. This spring, I made a big decision. Akihito Hirano "Starting next month, I'll be opening my own shop and taking on responsibility." Two days before the opening, Mr. Hirano's parents rushed to his new shop in Sawara Ward, Fukuoka City. His father, Mikio, immediately sat in the barber chair. Father, Mikio Hirano "It's so nice to have someone cut my hair now that I've opened a shop like this." Father, Mikio Hirano "Okay, okay, thank you." Akihito Hirano "He's already the first customer. It would have been even better if we had gas so I could have shampooed his hair, but we'll do that another time." "You did a great job," tears welled up in his mother's eyes. His mother, Kyoko, was also excited about the state-of-the-art chair, which cost approximately 1.3 million yen. Mother, Kyoko Hirano "It even has a massage function, it's amazing, so relaxing." Mikio and Kyoko are both barbers. On this day, she brought lots of towels to help prepare her son's shop. Seeing her son's grown-up face, Kyoko was overcome with emotion. Mother, Hirano Kyoko: "It's amazing. I thought, 'He's worked so hard,' and that's how it's been until now. He's worked so hard." On the opening day, a high school classmate visited with her 8-month-old child. On the opening day, congratulatory flowers arrived from friends who had competed together in the world championships. Hirano Akimitsu: "I'm so happy. I have some anxieties about the future, but receiving flowers like these makes me happy and excited." On the first day, a high school classmate came in. She got a haircut with her child. High school classmate, Kazuhiro Akiyama: "My child's first Hina Matsuri (Girls' Festival) is coming up, so I asked the world champion to give him his first haircut." High school classmate, Kazuhiro Akiyama: "Wow, I feel so refreshed." Akiyama's wife, Yuho Akiyama: "It's perfect, I'm so glad, thank you." Akihito Hirano: "Since his child is only 8 months old, I was incredibly nervous while cutting his hair. But I was really happy that he came, since he's a high school classmate." The reporter also requested a haircut. The reporter, who had been growing his hair out for over a month, also got a haircut. Akihito Hirano: "Is there anything you'd like to achieve today?" RKB reporter, Ryonosuke Baba: "I'll leave it up to you, as long as it looks cool." One hour later. Akihito Hirano "Thank you for your hard work." RKB Reporter Ryonosuke Baba "It's amazing, being numb...