The Japanese Fly Towards Olympic Gold In Milan-Cortina 2026

Ogiwara, the king of the air: the Japanese flies towards Olympic gold in Milan-Cortina 2026

The young snowboarding prodigy dominates the Big Air qualifier and emerges as the big favorite for the final

The snowboard spectacle at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games has experienced an electrifying prelude. The Japanese **Hiroto Ogiwara**, a name that already resonates strongly on the world circuit, has emerged as the undisputed leader of the Big Air qualifier, making clear his ambition to win the gold medal. At only **20 years old**, Ogiwara has shown amazing maturity and skill on the board.

This young Japanese talent is not a newcomer to the elite. His record already includes **two consecutive titles in the X-Games**, a milestone that speaks of his dominance in the freestyle disciplines. But what really sets Ogiwara apart is his ability to push the boundaries of what is possible. He was the **first rider in history to perform a 2.160 trick**, a maneuver that involves a whopping **six complete rotations** in the air.

On the qualifying day, held this Thursday at the Livigno Snow Park, Ogiwara deployed his arsenal of tricks with pinpoint precision. In his first series, he reached a score of **90.50 points**, a mark that already heralded his good moment. Far from settling, in the second round he raised the bar even further, adding **88.00 points**.

Although he failed to improve his record in the third and final series, the sum of his two best scores catapulted him to the top of the table. With a total of **178.70 points**, Ogiwara secured first place and the title of top contender for Olympic gold. His performance was a demonstration of control, power and overflowing creativity, key elements to succeed in Big Air.

The competition, however, will not make it easy for him. After the Japanese, there is a list of top-level riders. The Italian **Ian Matteoli** took **second place** with a score of **174.50 points**, making use of the field factor and the support of his audience. Another Japanese, **Kira Kimura**, completed the provisional podium, taking **third position** with **173.25 points**.

The final promises to be a duel of titans, where strategy and perfect execution will be decisive. Among the contenders to compete for gold in Ogiwara is the current Olympic champion, the Chinese **Su Yiming**. Despite his status as defending champion, Yiming is classified in **fourth position** with **172.5 points**, a mark that indicates that he reaches the final with options, but without the same margin as the leader.

However, not all the big names made it through the qualifying round. One of the surprises of the day was the elimination of the Norwegian **Mons Roisland**. Silver medalist at the Beijing 2022 Games, Roisland, who aspired to repeat the podium, could not overcome the pressure and was left out of the final with a score of **158.00 points**. His absence leaves a gap in the fight for medals, further opening the range of possibilities for other competitors.

The Big Air snowboard final of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games is presented as one of the most anticipated events. With Hiroto Ogiwara as the man to beat, excitement is guaranteed. Riders must risk everything, defy gravity and perform the most spectacular tricks to win Olympic glory. The Livigno Snow Park will be the scene of an aerial duel where only the most daring and skilled will be able to win. The expectation is maximum.

Frequently Asked Questions about Snowboard Big Air at Milan-Cortina 2026

Who is Hiroto Ogiwara?

Hiroto Ogiwara is a young 20-year-old Japanese snowboarder, champion of the last two editions of the X-Games and the first rider to complete a 2,160 trick (six rotations).

What score did Ogiwara get in the qualifiers?

Ogiwara scored 90.50 points in his first series and 88.00 in the second, achieving a total of 178.70 points to lead the qualifying round.

Who are Ogiwara's main rivals for the final?

Ogiwara's main rivals are the Italian Ian Matteoli (2nd with 174.50 points), the Japanese Kira Kimura (3rd with 173.25 points) and the current Olympic champion, the Chinese Su Yiming (4th with 172.5 points).

Which outstanding athletes failed to qualify for the final?

The silver medalist in Beijing 2022, the Norwegian Mons Roisland, could not make it through the qualifying round.

When will the Big Air snowboard final take place?

The final will be held on Saturday.

What innovative trick has Ogiwara performed?

Ogiwara is the first rider in history to achieve a 2.160, a trick that consists of 6 complete rotations in the air.

Where is the snowboard competition taking place?

The competition is being held at the Livigno Snow Park.

What other Japanese riders are competing in the final?

In addition to Ogiwara, Japan's Kira Kimura has also qualified for the final.

Are there any surprises expected in the final?

Given the high competitiveness and the elimination of some big names, it is possible that there will be surprises in the fight for medals.