LIVIGNO, Italy — The 2026 Winter Olympics witnessed an extraordinary display of athletic prowess as snowboarding events commenced with the men’s big air qualifiers on Thursday. Hiroto Ogiwara, Japan’s 20-year-old phenom, delivered a stunning performance that secured his position atop the leaderboard with 178.5 combined points from his two best runs.
Ogiwara, who previously revolutionized the sport at the 2025 Aspen X Games by landing the first-ever 2,340-degree jump (equivalent to six-and-a-half rotations) in competitive history, demonstrated why he’s considered the athlete to beat in this discipline. His technical mastery and aerial control left judges and spectators in awe.
Local favorite Ian Matteoli provided Italian fans with thrilling moments, capturing second position with 174.5 points. The competition intensified with another Japanese contender, Kira Kimura, claiming third place at 173.25 points, narrowly edging out China’s reigning gold medalist Su Yiming, who finished fourth with 172.25 points.
The American contingent faced challenges, with only Oliver Martin advancing to Saturday’s final after securing ninth position. The qualification format required athletes to execute three jumps off the massive 40-meter ramp, with their two highest scores determining advancement to the finals.
The nighttime event in Livigno—a picturesque Alpine town transformed into an extreme sports arena—showcased athletes soaring under floodlights against a dramatic mountain backdrop. Big air, characterized by single massive jumps incorporating complex spins, flips, and board manipulations, represents one of three snowboarding park events alongside halfpipe and slopestyle competitions.
Livigno will additionally host freestyle skiing aerials and moguls throughout the Olympic Games, cementing its status as a hub for winter action sports during the Milan Cortina Olympics.