"Kimata, 23, who won the big air world championship last year, touched down on his final run when he had a chance to snatch victory from Kimura. He finished with 171.50 points. Both were competing in their first Olympics, and neither shied away from the moment, laying down the best jumps after spinning at dizzying speeds through the Alpine night. Kimura's best previous results were three second-placed finishes at World Cup events. He was 11th in big air at the 2025 world championship."
"Japan has emerged over the past decade-plus as a force in halfpipe, winning five medals, with four by men, in the last three Olympics. But it had only parlayed that into one bronze in women's big air in 2022, with no medals in slopestyle. Now Kimura and Kimata have given Japan its first Olympic gold and silver in big air, and more could be to come. The pair will also compete in slopestyle, while Ayumu Hirano will seek to defend his halfpipe gold."
Kira Kimura won men's big air gold with a final-run score of 90.50 and a two-jump total of 179.50. Ryoma Kimata took silver with 171.50 points after nearly overtaking Kimura on his last run. Defending champion Su Yiming of China won bronze, pushing 17-year-old American Oliver Martin off the podium. Both Kimura and Kimata were competing in their first Olympics and landed demanding spins and tricks under Alpine night conditions. Kimata won the big air world championship last year. Japan placed four riders in the final and secured its first Olympic gold and silver in big air.
Read at ESPN.com
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