Mens big air snowboarding: Kira Kimura wins gold 179.50, Japan dominates with silver

Kira Kimura delivered the gold-medal moment Japan had always dreamed of, nailing a stunning 90.50 final run to capture the men’s big air snowboarding title at Milano Cortina 2026. The 21-year-old Japanese snowboarder’s perfect finale netted 179.50 total points, securing Japan’s first-ever Olympic snowboarding gold. This is the dominant performance that changes everything.

The Perfect Final Run That Changed Everything

Kira Kimura left spectators breathless with his third and final jump. Leading 89.00 after run one, then stumbling midway through, the Japanese star faced elimination. But on the night sky above Livigno Snow Park, he engineered pure perfection. His switch backside 1980 trick earned a commanding 90.50, the evening’s highest individual score. This wasn’t just a victory, it was vindication.

Kimura had waited for this moment his entire career. The 21-year-old struck the perfect balance between flair and technical finesse, landing the shot that mattered most when pressure was highest. Japan’s first snowboarding Olympic gold now belongs to him.

Japan Dominates the Podium in Historic Show

Japan’s reign over men’s big air became undeniable Saturday night at Milano Cortina. Kira Kimura captured gold with 179.50 while his teammate Ryoma Kimata claimed the silver medal with 171.50 points. This explosive one-two finish represents the growing dominance of Japanese snowboarding on the Olympic stage. The country now stands as a major force in this discipline.

Kimata Ryoma, age 23, competed as the reigning world champion heading into Saturday. His silver medal marks his first-ever Olympic medal, joining his teammate in history. Together, they’ve fundamentally shifted the landscape of men’s big air.

Podium Finishes and Final Standing

Position	Athlete	Country	Score
Gold	Kira Kimura	Japan (JPN)	179.50
Silver	Ryoma Kimata	Japan (JPN)	171.50
Bronze	Su Yiming	China (CHN)	168.50

Su Yiming of China took bronze with 168.50 points, cementing his legacy. The defending Olympic champion from 2022 made Olympic history as the first man ever to win two medals in big air at the Games. Despite finishing third, Su Yiming remains a titan of the sport.

“The Japanese snowboarder delivered his best on his first and third run at Milano Cortina 2026 on Saturday, 7 February. Compatriot Kimata Ryoma took silver, while defending Olympic champion Su Yiming made history as the first man to win two medals in the event.”

— Olympics.com official coverage

What Makes This Win Historic for Japanese Snowboarding

Saturday’s triumph represents a seismic shift in Olympic snowboarding. Japan had never captured gold in this sport before. Now Kira Kimura, just 21 years old, has shattered that barrier forever. The victory underlines how Japanese athletes have spent years perfecting aerials and big air techniques. Their commitment to innovation finally paid the ultimate price.

Livigno Snow Park witnessed a generational moment Saturday evening. The 140-foot ramp at the Milano Cortina venue became Kimura’s stage. His precision and courage under pressure demonstrated why Japan is writing the sport’s next chapter.

What Do These Results Mean for Future Big Air Competitions?

Japan’s stunning one-two finish sends a clear message to competitors worldwide: the power dynamic in men’s big air has shifted dramatically. Both Kimura Kira and Kimata Ryoma are in their athletic primes with years of competition remaining. Will Japan now dominate this discipline the way it’s starting to dominate Olympic snowboarding overall?

The Milano Cortina Olympics have showcased Japanese talent in ways previous games never did. Saturday’s men’s big air final proved that Kimura Kira and Kimata Ryoma aren’t anomalies, but the beginning of an era. What happens next in big air snowboarding could tell us everything about where Olympic competition is headed.

Sources

• Olympics.com – Official Milano Cortina 2026 coverage and results of the men’s snowboard big air final
• NBC Olympics – Kira Kimura’s Olympic gold and Japan’s first-ever snowboarding medal
• ESPN Olympics – Japan’s gold and silver dominance in men’s big air at Winter Games