Freerunning
Red Bull Art of Motion winner Didi Alaoui reveals his journey to the top
The Moroccan freerunning star defied the odds to win his biggest title, but it's nothing compared to the hurdles he endured on his journey to the top.
When Didi Alaoui sent down his winning Red Bull Art of Motion run in Matera, Italy, it completed an inspiring rise to the top of freerunning.
By his own admission, life was tough growing up as a passionate parkour athlete in the northeastern Moroccan town of Oujda.
He had no gym, no coaches and not many places to train. But despite all of this, the 24-year-old spent hours every day perfecting his moves in the sand. He even won an online qualification to Red Bull Art of Motion 2014 in Santorini, Greece, but a visa issue stopped him competing. He would finally make his debut the following year.
Learn more about freerunner Didi Alaoui and how he sees the world as a playground in the below episode of the Beyond the Ordinary podcast.
His life dramatically changed when a gymnastics school in Ollerup, Denmark (Gymnastikhojskolen i Ollerup) offered him the chance to come to Europe on a scholarship in January 2016 after seeing one of his videos online. While there, he expanded and perfected his repertoire and built the base that would see him crowned Red Bull Art of Motion champion in Italy.
Didi Alaoui celebrates
© Mauro Puccini/Red Bull Content Pool
We caught up with Didi as he looked back on his rise in freerunning and journey from growing up in Oujda to living in Los Angeles.
How did it feel to be crowned Red Bull Art of Motion champion?
The win was not only about me but for everyone back home from my country – for everyone that has a dream that thinks something is impossible.
How did you get into the sport in Morocco in the first place?
I was living in Oujda in the east of the country. One day I was just biking around and saw some guys trying to jump. I asked them if it was parkour, but they didn’t know. A friend of mine had a computer, so we went to his place to watch YouTube videos and it just started like that.
Alaoui had to throw down a huge final run after mistakes in his heat
© Samo Vidic/Red Bull Content Pool
How difficult was it to train?
I had no gym, no nothing, but that wasn't a problem. Sometimes I’d make my own park but it could be tough as the next day it would be destroyed or people had stolen my stuff. Often, I’d have to walk many kilometres carrying tyres to a good place in the sand to train.
Do you have fond memories of those early days in Morocco?
It was tough but I enjoyed it, and I was always happy. I didn’t have what maybe every child wants but I was thankful for what I did have. I never had a phone or camera to film myself, but that wasn't a big deal because I was still able to train every day. At home in Morocco, I have five siblings and I try to send money home to help. As soon as I get the money, I will go and see them.
What was the turning point in your career?
I uploaded a video of me doing parkour in a playground and this school in Denmark saw the video and offered me a scholarship for parkour, gymnastics and dancing. It was the most awesome experience for someone that never had a gym. I was there on a course for nine months and then they offered me to work there as a parkour teacher. I taught there for two-and-a-half years. Over there, I started making money and I'd never made money before and I'll never forget it.
Didi Alaoui performing in Matera
© Gabriele Seghizzi / Red Bull Content Pool
And how did you end up living in Los Angeles?
I got a job working as a coach but I'd to quit before Art of Motion to focus on my training. The manager said that if I missed work, I wouldn't have a job when I came back. I quit, which was a big risk as I didn’t have money to pay rent and I knew there was no going back. My parents usually want me to work and support them, but they supported me. They gave me the green light for Art of Motion.
Can you call yourself the best in the world after Red Bull Art of Motion victory?
There’s a long way to go. When I was working and training for this competition, I could see myself winning. I was like, ‘I can do this,’ but when I won I was in shock for a few seconds. Everything paid off, so no regrets.