Mari Fukada, at only 19 years old, has made waves in the snowboarding world by winning a gold medal in the women's slopestyle event during the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. During her final run, she executed a switch-back 900, which was crucial for her success, as she managed to overcome the pressure of her earlier jumps that had not gone well. With a technique focused on being true to herself, she finished with a score of 87.83, leaping from ninth place to clinch the top spot.

Fukada's remarkable journey in the sport began at the tender age of three, and she has been riding the slopes since she was a first grader. Despite her self-described shy and timid nature, her competitive spirit shines through. Just nine days earlier, she had faced disappointment, finishing ninth in the big air event and shedding tears at the medal ceremony for her teammate Kokomo Murase, who claimed gold. This inspired her to return stronger in the slopestyle competition, where her determination paid off.

Her victory adds to a series of medal wins for Japan's snowboarding team at this Olympics, marking a significant achievement for Fukada as she takes home her first gold on the international stage. Both her emotional response and exceptional performance highlight her potential as a future leader in the sport, igniting excitement among fans and marking her as a rising star to watch in upcoming competitions.