Japan’s Kimura wins Olympic snowboard big air gold
He scored 179.5 points to top the podium, edging out compatriot Ryoma Kimata and defending Olympic champion Su Yiming of China
Kira Kimura and Ryoma Kimata led a Japanese gold and silver medal grab in men’s big air on Saturday, underlining the growing dominance of their country in snowboarding at the Winter Olympics.
The 21-year-old Kimura edged his fellow countryman with a blistering last run, scoring a final’s best 90.50 to surge to the top of the table. He finished with 179.50 points from his best two jumps.
Defending champion Su Yiming of China took bronze, pushing 17-year-old American Oliver Martin off the podium.
Kimura was all smiles when he held up his gold medal with one hand and a plush doll of the Olympics and Paralympic mascots, the stoats Tina and Milo, with his other hand.
The 23-year-old Kimata, 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.