Snowboard’s Big Air competition brims with thrills, spills and backaches
Japan enjoyed a great day in Snowboard Big Air competition at Lausanne 2020 Youth Winter Olympic Games. Kimata Ryoma and Kawakami Aoto finished 1-2 in men´s competition while Asanuma Hinari (JPN) finished first among women.
Kimata Ryoma won gold with an impressive score of 195 points. His teammate Kawakami Aoto finished 3.25 points behind him.
“Winning the gold medal was the best feeling ever,” Kimata said. “The secret of our success is that we have a facility with a mat so we can practise in the summer.”
The bronze went to Canada’s Liam Brearley, his third medal of the Games. The 16-year-old added to his bronze in the men’s halfpipe and silver in the men’s slopestyle competitions.
“It means everything to me,” he said “I’m super proud of myself. It’s been so important having my friends and family here.
“They get really nervous when they’re watching me. It’s pretty dangerous when we’re all doing triples, but they get over it because they love watching me.”
In women´s event Annika Morgan (GER) had to settle for silver medal and Melissa Peperkamp (NED) completed the podium.
For gold medallist Asanuma, victory was the culmination of an enjoyable Winter Youth Olympic Games.
“I am happy with my gold medal. I did my best today,” she said. “My effort paid off. The Youth Olympics were a lot of fun and I was happy with the experience.”