In an exciting final of the men's halfpipe at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics held on February 13, Japanese snowboarder Yuto Totsuka showcased a remarkable performance, scoring 95.00 points to clinch the gold medal. Totsuka executed high-level tricks flawlessly during his second run, validating his exceptional skills on the snowboarding circuit. Ryu Sei Yamada followed closely with a strong score of 92.00 points, earning him the bronze medal, marking a successful day for Japanese snowboarding on the international stage.

The competition also included notable performances from other Japanese athletes, with Hirano Ayumu, who previously won gold at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, finishing in 7th place. This marks a shift in Hirano's performance as he faced fierce competition in the finals. Additionally, the men's free skate in figure skating commenced with Japanese skaters, including Yoshio Miura, Shun Sato, and Yuma Kagiyama, participating, adding to the excitement of the Olympic events.

The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are set to take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026, and the results from the snowboarding events may influence preparations for these upcoming competitions. Japan's strong representation in snowboarding could bolster the nation's prospects for multiple medals in future international events, while also raising expectations for athletes like Hirano to return to form before the 2026 games.