Japan’s Ogiwara Leads Men’s Big Air Qualifying at Olympic Snowboarding Launch
Japan’s dominance in snowboarding continues to shine, particularly in the Big Air event. Hiroto Ogiwara, a 20-year-old rising star, topped the qualification rounds during the recent snowboarding competition in Livigno, Italy. His impressive performance positions him as a strong contender for a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Ogiwara’s Remarkable Journey
Ogiwara has shown exceptional talent in snowboarding, notably excelling in the Big Air discipline. The young athlete credits his father, a former snowboarder, for inspiring his passion for the sport. He emphasized, “I was always a jumper, naturally,” which aligns perfectly with the high-flying nature of Big Air, featuring jumps that can reach heights of 20 meters (about 65 feet).
A defining moment in Ogiwara’s career came at the 2025 X Games, where he made history by executing the first-ever 2,340-degree jump in competition, marking a significant achievement in the sport.
Strong Competition at the Milan Cortina Games
During the qualifying rounds, Ogiwara scored an impressive 178.5 points, leading the field. He was closely followed by Italian snowboarder Ian Matteoli, who earned 174.5 points, exciting local fans.
- Hiroto Ogiwara (Japan) – 178.5 points
- Ian Matteoli (Italy) – 174.5 points
- Kira Kimura (Japan) – 173.25 points
- Su Yiming (China) – 172.25 points (reigning gold medalist)
- Oliver Martin (USA) – 9th place, only American in top 12
Understanding the Big Air Format
Big Air competitions consist of single jumps off a massive ramp, where athletes perform a variety of spins, flips, and board tricks. At Livigno, the ramp height reaches over 40 meters, presenting riders with an exhilarating challenge. Each competitor makes three jumps, with their two best scores combined for a final result.
As snowboarding events kick off at the Milan Cortina Games, Livigno not only stages Big Air but will also host freestyle skiing aerials and moguls. The setting, a picturesque town in the Italian Alps, adds an exhilarating backdrop to this thrilling sport.
Ogiwara’s ascent, alongside Japan’s growing roster of talented snowboarders, highlights the nation’s continued emergence as a powerhouse in winter sports. As the Tokyo-born athlete prepares for the finals on Saturday, all eyes will be on him as he seeks to cement his legacy in Japanese snowboarding.
