Livigno, Italy | February 7, 2026 | Newzify Sports Desk
Japan produced a stunning display of aerial excellence at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, sweeping gold and silver in the Men’s Snowboard Big Air final, while Team USA narrowly missed out on a medal on the opening days of competition.
Japan Claim Gold and Silver in Big Air Final
Japan’s Kira Kimura clinched the gold medal with a spectacular final run, finishing with a combined score of 179.50 points, while compatriot Ryoma Kimata secured silver with 171.50 points. China’s reigning Olympic champion Su Yiming completed the podium with bronze.
The competition took place under floodlights at Livigno Snow Park, with riders judged on their two best jumps. Kimura sealed victory with a technically difficult switch backside rotation in his final attempt.
Team USA’s Ollie Martin Falls Just Short
American teenager Ollie Martin finished a heartbreaking fourth, narrowly missing out on a historic medal for Team USA. Despite landing a strong second run, Martin could not break into the top three.
As a result, Team USA remained without a medal after Day 1, highlighting a challenging start for the American contingent at the Games.
Full Schedule: Snowboard Big Air Events
According to the official Olympic broadcast schedule, Big Air events are being held at Livigno with the following key dates:
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🗓️ Men’s Big Air Final: February 7
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🗓️ Women’s Big Air Qualifying: February 8
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🗓️ Women’s Big Air Final: February 9
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đź“ş Live on NBC, USA Network & Peacock (global coverage varies by region)
What This Means Going Forward
Japan’s early dominance confirms their status as a powerhouse in freestyle snowboarding. With Slopestyle and Halfpipe events still to come, several medal contenders — including Su Yiming and Kimura — will return to action later in the Games.
For Team USA, the near-miss by Ollie Martin offers hope, but the pressure is now on American riders to deliver in upcoming freestyle disciplines.
