http://mpora.com/videos/bzng6JmMW Salomon Snowboards has announced that it has signed Japanese ripper Takaharu Nakai to its international team.

Takaharu grew up riding the legendary powder of Hokkaido in Japan, and first caught the eye of the snowboarding world with his massive back-to-back McTwists in the 2002 Olympic halfpipe contest in Salt Lake City. Check out a video of his run (complete with excitable Scandi commentary) here.

Since then Takaharu’s riding has gone from strength to strength, and he’s clocked up impressive parts in Alterna’s films Apples & Oranges and Knockout.

Salomon’s team manager Java Fernandez said: “Takaharu’s ill. I heard he filmed his part in the Alterna movie in just more than a month. I’ve seen it and it’s heavy. He’s on some next level shit and it won’t be long for the world to see that. He is a loose individual and I’m so psyched to have him on the team.”

Takaharu added: “I look forward to riding and hanging out with the international team and the team in Japan. It’s an awesome crew.”

The young shredder, who previously rode for Burton and Analog, will now rock Salomon’s snowboards and Bonfire outerwear.

Check out Takaharu’s part in Apples and Oranges, a film by Alterna.