There is a specific kind of silence that falls over a snow park when a rider is 20 feet in the air, spinning like a top, with an Olympic medal hanging in the balance. In Livigno, Italy, 21-year-old Su Yiming broke that silence with the sound of a clean landing—and the roar of a nation finally getting on the board.
Facing a field of gravity-defying teenagers and the weight of being the defending champion, Su didn't just compete; he battled. His bronze medal in the Men's Snowboard Big Air isn't just hardware; it's a testament to nerve, resilience, and the ability to execute when the margin for error is zero.
The 1980-Degree Statement
Big Air competition is a simple, brutal meritocracy: two best runs out of three count. Su wasted no time. On his very first drop, he unleashed a backside 1980—that’s five and a half full rotations. He stomped it.
The judges rewarded the technical wizardry with an 88.25, instantly putting him in the silver medal position. It looked like the perfect start to a title defense.
Su Yiming in mid-air action. (Photo provided)
The Stumble and The Recovery
Then came the turbulence. Attempting a switch backside 1980 on his second run, Su wobbled. His hand grazed the snow on landing—a "hand drag" in snowboarding terms that is practically a death sentence for a high score. He posted a 73.75 and plummeted to fifth place.
Suddenly, the podium looked far away. With one run left, Su had a choice: play it safe or double down. He chose the latter.
He re-attempted the maneuver. This time, he held the landing. The score: 80.25. Total: 168.50. Enough to leapfrog into third and secure the bronze.
"Proudest Achievement"
While Japan's Kira Kimura (179.50) and Ryoma Kimata (171.50) took the top two spots with flawless performances, Su's result held a different significance. It opened China's medal tally for Milano Cortina 2026.
"I'm just really proud of myself for dealing with such great pressure," Su said after the event, draped in the national flag. "Standing in this competitive field... is the proudest achievement."
What This Means for China
Su Yiming has now completed his set: Gold and Silver in Beijing 2022, and now Bronze in 2026. He remains the face of China's winter sports evolution—a superstar who delivers when the lights are brightest.