Japan Dominates Snowboard Big Air at Milan-Cortina 2026
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics witnessed a stunning display of snowboarding prowess in the men’s Big Air final, with Japan securing a dominant 1-2 finish. Kira Kimura claimed the gold medal, even as Ryoma Kimata took silver, marking a significant moment for the Japanese team.
Rising Difficulty in Big Air Snowboarding
The competition highlighted the rapidly increasing difficulty within the discipline. While Su Yiming secured gold at Beijing 2022 with 1800-degree spins, the 2026 games saw eight riders successfully landing 1980s during qualification. This progression underscores the relentless pursuit of innovation and technical skill in snowboarding.
Su Yiming Secures Bronze for China
Defending Olympic champion Su Yiming added to China’s medal count, securing a bronze medal in a fiercely contested final. Despite a fall in qualification, Su demonstrated resilience and control, balancing ambition with precision. He opened with a 1980-degree spin, earning 88.25 points, and ultimately totaled 168.50 points to claim third place.
“I’m just really proud of myself to deal with such big pressure and still be able to land my tricks,” Su said. “Finally, I have every single color of medals. I’m truly delighted to wear the national colors, standing here to secure our nation’s first medal.”
Kimura’s Final-Run Victory
Kira Kimura’s victory was sealed with a near-flawless third run, scoring 90.50 points, adding to his opening run score of 89.00 for a total of 179.50. He expressed his respect for Su Yiming, acknowledging their long-standing rivalry on the World Cup circuit. “I’ve competed with Su for a long time, we always see each other on the World Cup circuit, and he is always the winner,” Kimura stated. “Today, I’m the winner and I’m very happy about that. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a great athlete.”
Emotional Moments and Team Dynamics
The event was marked by emotional scenes, including Su Yiming embracing his mother after the competition, seeking her support and energy. The Japanese team experienced a mixed bag of results, with Hiroto Ogiwara and Taiga Hasegawa struggling to land their runs, finishing last and second to last respectively. Despite this, the overall performance showcased Japan’s strength in the discipline.
Looking Ahead: Gu Ailing Advances in Freeski
Beyond the snowboard Big Air final, China’s freestyle skiing star, Gu Ailing, also achieved success, advancing to the women’s freeski slopestyle final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Big Air snowboarding?
A: Big Air snowboarding involves riders performing tricks after launching off a large ramp, judged on amplitude, difficulty, and execution.
Q: Who won gold in the men’s snowboard Big Air at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics?
A: Kira Kimura of Japan won the gold medal.
Q: What medal did Su Yiming win?
A: Su Yiming won the bronze medal.
Q: How has the difficulty of Big Air snowboarding evolved?
A: The difficulty has increased significantly, with riders now attempting and landing more complex spins, such as 1980-degree rotations.
Q: Will Gu Ailing compete in more events at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics?
A: Gu Ailing has advanced to the women’s freeski slopestyle final.
Pro Tip: Consistent practice and a focus on both technical skill and mental fortitude are crucial for success in Big Air snowboarding.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics! Share your thoughts on these incredible performances in the comments below.
