In recent years, Scottish streetwear label Hanon and Japanese shoemakers Mizuno have worked together several times to produce footwear and apparel collaborations. One of them back in 2021 included the Nagoya Grampus, Nagoya’s leading soccer team, that was previously managed by the legendary Arsène Wenger himself.

The three-way partnership saw Hanon and Mizuno exercising their creative geniuses, giving the Grampus’ jerseys a makeover, paying homage to the team’s 1993 design. While the apparels took the limelight, some keen fans might have spotted an unannounced Mizuno sneaker being showcased in promotional photos.

That sneaker, the Hanon x Mizuno Contender, will finally make its official debut two years on. While it might have taken a long time for the duo to release this collaborative effort, it definitely seems worth the wait as this Contender is decked out with intricate details themed after one of Nagoya’s famous icons—the grampus dolphin.

Also known as the Risso’s dolphin, these lovable aquatic animals are prominent representatives of Nagoya. Two golden grampus dolphins sit atop the Nagoya Castle, while both its soccer and basketball teams are named after them.

Hanon expertly weaves in the importance and symbolism of the city icon by dressing the Mizuno Contender in a silvery mesh base and leather mudguards. Drawing cues from the dolphins’ aquatic dwellings, various shades of teal are mixed in with an amalgam of materials for its overlays, tongue and heel. Accentuating the mix of colors, the Mizuno Runbird logo is painted in a pearly light teal that shines throughout the shoe.

The highlight of this sneaker comes in the form of a faint grey markings present on its nubuck toe cap and heel. These dash-like scratches are a reference to the grampus dolphin’s linear scars, usually present allover its body. Rest assured, these scars are a natural phenomenon to the Risso’s dolphin as they age.

You can now enter Hanon’s raffle for this pair via their website which will end on 3rd February, at a retail price of £120(~US$150). Act fast if you don’t want to miss out on this special release!

In other sneaker-related news, check out the new Stüssy x Nike Air Max Penny 2 “Tan”.