In a thrilling display of athleticism at the Winter Olympics, Yuto Totsuka of Japan seized the gold medal in the men's snowboard halfpipe. The intense competition saw Australian veteran Scotty James secure the silver, marking his second silver medal across five Olympic appearances. The bronze medal was awarded to Japan's Ryusei Yamada, rounding out the podium in Livigno, Italy.
The halfpipe event requires snowboarders to execute intricate aerial maneuvers on a 22-foot U-shaped ramp. Scores are determined by various criteria including amplitude, originality, and the overall complexity of the tricks performed, with a perfect score being 100. Athletes are given three runs, with their highest score counting towards their final placement.
Totsuka, a prominent member of Japan's formidable snowboarding contingent, delivered an outstanding performance. Under the artificial illumination of the Livigno night sky, which created a stunning backdrop, the 24-year-old achieved an impressive 95 points on his second run. This score established his lead and showcased a heightened level of difficulty compared to the qualifying rounds. Totsuka remarked on the high caliber of the competition, stating it was one of the most challenging events he had ever participated in.
Scotty James, aged 31, demonstrated exceptional skill, beginning his first run with seemingly effortless tricks. However, a slight misjudgment led him to skid to a halt at the end. His second attempt was more successful, earning him 93.50 points and propelling him into second place. Despite a valiant effort to secure gold, James was unable to complete a backside 1620—a highly advanced trick involving four and a half rotations—on his final run, resulting in a fall. This particular maneuver remains unachieved at the Olympic level.
Following his fall, James was visibly dejected, hanging his head at the base of the pipe. Yet, he managed a faint smile on the podium, wiping his eyes with his distinctive red boxing-style gloves. He later expressed mixed emotions to reporters, acknowledging both his frustration and immense pride in representing Australia in such a fiercely contested final. James conveyed his belief that a successful landing of his final trick would have secured him the gold, and he had no regrets about attempting it. A former flag-bearer for Australia at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, James had openly stated his ambition to add an Olympic gold to his extensive collection of snowboarding accolades. With a bronze from South Korea and a silver from Beijing, this latest silver further fuels his competitive spirit. When questioned about future Olympic participation, James unequivocally declared his intention to compete again, citing his aversion to losing as a strong motivator.
Among other notable competitors, Japan's defending halfpipe champion, Ayumu Hirano, experienced a setback with a fall in his initial run. Although he recovered with a strong second performance, a fall on his concluding attempt placed him seventh. Switzerland's Jan Scherrer, a bronze medalist in 2022, was forced to withdraw from the competition after sustaining a head injury during practice. In the women's event, South Korea's Choi Ga-on captured gold, preventing American Chloe Kim from achieving a third consecutive Olympic title.
