Harry Jumonji for Living Proof Radio. Full episode on the Living Proof Patreon. http://patreon.com/livingproofnewyork

Harry Jumonji is a Brazilian-born skateboarder regarded as one of the defining icons of New York City’s skateboarding history. 

After moving from Brazil to New York as a child, Jumonji was introduced to the New York skate scene through Andy Kessler, one of New York’s most influential skaters and the first person he met when arriving in the city. Deeply shaped by Kessler’s mentorship, Jumonji grew into a legend in the downtown street skateboarding scene of the 1980s. His skating was known for power & aggression, and his larger-than-life personality made him a standout character amongst all who came in contact with him. 

Throughout his time in New York, Jumonji became entangled with hard drugs and spent multiple stretches incarcerated, most notably after selling drugs to an undercover officer. These struggles interrupted his career, changed his life, his outlook and symbolize both the allure and dangers of New York street life. Over the years, he has been candid about these experiences in documentaries and interviews, offering a stark account of survival in and around skateboarding’s fringes.

In later life, Jumonji turned away from these destructive patterns, achieving sobriety from the hard drugs and choosing a more stable path. He eventually relocated back to Brazil, where he continues to live today. He is remembered not only for his skating but for embodying the unfiltered character of New York skateboarding during its formative years. Jumonji’s story ensures his place as one of the most legendary figures in New York skateboarding history.