Intro
Japan’s snowboarding superstar Murase Kokomo has won the hearts of sports fans worldwide with her thrilling Big Air victory at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy.
In her final jump of the night, the Japanese world-champion overcame a legendary field of snowboarding stars to improve on the bronze she won four years ago, and winning gold ahead of New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski-Synnott in silver and Yu Seungeun in bronze.
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The 21-year-old Murase got off to a great start with a backside triple cork 1440 mute grab for a top score of 89.75 to take the early lead before rivals Sadowski-Synnott and 18-year-old Yu Seungeun of the Republic of Korea closed the gap.
Kiwi superstar Sadowski-Synnott, and one of the favorites going into the games, temporarily went into the gold medal position with a switch backside 1260 mute grab before Japan’s Murase sealed the victory by landing a frontside 1440 on her final jump for a combined winning score of 179.00.
Murase’s Big Air victory came after Japan’s men also led the way in snowboarding winning gold and silver earlier in the week.
Kimura Kira won gold and Kimata Ryōma won silver in the men’s big air.
Kimura took the lead after round one before winning the gold with the day’s highest score of 90.50. Kimata was behind in tenth after the qualifying round, but improved to second place in the final to land the silver.
So far, Japan has won two gold medals, two silver, and three bronze at Milano-Cortina with more expected before the end of the Games.
The Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics 2026 are currently taking place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy and will continue until 22 February.
FAQs about the Winter Olympics
Q. What are the Winter Olympics?
The Games see athletes from around the world come together to compete in traditional and modern winter sports.
Q. What sports feature at the Winter Olympics?
There are 16 different disciplines at Milano Cortina 2026, divided into two groups - sports on ice (ice hockey, curling, figure and speed skating, skeleton and luge etc) and sports on snow (skiing, snowboarding etc).
Q. Where are the 2026 Olympic Games held?
They are being held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
Q. How many athletes will compete at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games?
Almost 3,000 athletes from around 90 countries will compete at Milano-Cortina.
Q. What is special about the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics?
Milano Cortina 2026 is the first Olympic Games to be officially co-hosted by two cities; Milan will primarily host the ice events.
