Japanese Murase becomes Olympic champion in snowboarding 'Big Air' discipline
Japanese athlete Kokomo Murase won a gold medal in the 'Big Air' snowboarding event at the Olympic Games in Livigno.
On Monday, Japanese snowboarder Kokomo Murase claimed the gold medal in the 'Big Air' discipline at the Olympic Games held in Livigno. The results were determined by aggregating the two best scores out of three attempts, with Murase's performance earning a total of 179 points. This victory marks a significant achievement for Murase, who previously won a bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The silver medal was awarded to New Zealand's Zoi Sadowska-Synnot, who scored 172.25 points, making it her second consecutive Olympic medal after she also secured bronze in the 'Big Air' at the 2018 Olympics and won gold in the slopestyle event at the 2022 Games. South Korea's 18-year-old Sununa Yoo, who was leading after two rounds, finished with a bronze medal at 171 points. This event showcased a competitive field of athletes in a thrilling contest.
The ongoing Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina will continue until February 22. The inclusion of extreme sports such as snowboarding reflects the evolving nature of the Olympics, appealing to younger audiences and bringing fresh excitement to the event. Muraseβs victory not only highlights her personal talent but also signifies Japan's growing presence in winter sports, especially as they prepare to host the next Winter Olympics in 2026.