He came out of nowhere and was already regarded weeks later as the greatest talent the slopestyle scene had ever seen. Emil Johansson took the FMB Diamond Series by storm, becoming a crowd favourite after his first Crankworx event and six months later, at barely 18 years of age, the youngest FMB World Champion of all time. In his first FMB season ever!
But as quickly as he arrived, he disappeared again. At the beginning of 2018 at Crankworx Rotorua, people looked in vain for the defending FMB champion. He was plagued by back problems at home in Sweden, then he was repeatedly ill, had no drive and no energy. Only when the situation still hadn't improved after a few weeks was Emil sent to a specialist in Munich.
25-minute short documentary about slopestyle ace Emile Johansson, his illness and his way back to the top.
Back pain and listlessness: double diagnosis with autoimmune diseases
After a lengthy, unsuccessful search, the actual problem was finally recognised in the early summer of 2018. The back pain and inflamed throat pointed to a much more serious finding, which was confirmed a few weeks later: Emil Johansson had not one, but two diseases that could be held responsible for his condition: the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
With targeted medication and special physiotherapy, the doctors managed to stabilise Johansson's immune system as far as possible in the summer of 2018. The invitation to the Whistler Joyride 2018, the highlight of the Crankworx World Tour, was still pending. The Swede accepted, although he was still unsure whether he would even have enough strength to ride. But he succeeded. After almost ten months without any significant time in the saddle, Johannson swept over the course again with a precision that would make even top riders like Brett Rheeder or Martin Söderström pale in comparison. It was enough for fourth place from a standing start.
95 points for Emil Johansson - comeback at Crankworx Innsbruck 2019
More than just a glimmer of hope after a year of uncertainty. Emil Johansson sat out Crankworx in Rotorua at the start of 2019, but now he was back at it again last weekend in Innsbruck, giving it his all and even giving top favourite Brett Rheeder a hard time. Johannsson's first full run was scored with 95 out of a possible 100 points, 90 is actually a world sensation. Rheeder had to dig deep into his bag of tricks and went one better in his second run. In the end, the jury decided in favour of Rheeder with 95.5 points, but the decision is not without controversy. Victory or not, Emil Johansson has certainly found his good humour again. What a comeback!
For more up-to-date information, it is worth taking a look at Johansson's Instagram account.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
