Kokomi Murase, failure to achieve double crown with Big Air, says 'Next time, I will be stronger'
Japanese snowboarder Kokomi Murase finished third in the women's slope style final at the Winter Olympics, expressing disappointment despite a strong performance.
Kokomi Murase, a notable figure in snowboarding, did not achieve her goal of a double crown at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, where she competed fiercely in the women's slope style final. After an emotional performance, she expressed her frustration about not meeting the high expectations placed upon her and noted that it was disappointing not to win. In her final run, she executed a challenging trick known as the 'triple cork 1260', which is rare among female competitors, and despite believing she had done her best, her score fell short of the leading competitor by 2.03 points, landing her in third place.
Murase, only 21 years old, reflected on her journey since her first Olympic appearance in Beijing at the age of 17, where she secured a bronze medal in Big Air but finished tenth in slope style. With a strong determination to overcome her past struggles, she dedicated herself to intense training over the past four years, including refining her skills through six hours of daily practice in New Zealand during the summer. Her emotional response to the recent competition highlights the pressure athletes face and the growth she has undergone over time.
After her tearful moments, Murase showed resilience, stating that she had given it her all and promised to come back stronger next time. Her dissatisfaction with merely a bronze medal reflects her ambitions and the evolution of her competitive spirit as she strives for further success on the world stage.