Sat Feb 07 18:50:00 UTC 2026: ### Ogiwara Dominates Big Air Qualifying, Sets Stage for Intense Olympic Final

The Story:
Japanese snowboarder Hiroto Ogiwara topped the qualifying scoreboard in the big air event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, signaling Japan’s potential dominance beyond the halfpipe. Ogiwara, known for landing the first 2,340-degree jump at the 2025 X Games, scored 178.5 points from his best two runs. He is followed closely by Italian home favorite Ian Matteoli with 174.5 points. Reigning gold medalist Su Yiming of China qualified in fourth place.

Key Points:

  • Hiroto Ogiwara (Japan) finished first in big air qualifying with 178.5 points.
  • Ian Matteoli (Italy) secured second place with 174.5 points, generating excitement among Italian fans.
  • Kira Kimura (Japan) placed third with 173.25 points.
  • Reigning gold medalist Su Yiming (China) qualified in fourth place with 172.25 points.
  • The big air final will be held on Saturday.
  • The Livigno ramp peaks at over 40 meters.

Key Takeaways:

  • Japan’s snowboarding program is emerging as a powerhouse, showcasing talent in both halfpipe (Ayumu Hirano) and big air (Hiroto Ogiwara).
  • The big air final promises to be a tightly contested event, with athletes from Japan, Italy, and China all in contention for the gold.
  • Italy’s Ian Matteoli’s strong performance in qualifying adds a compelling home-country narrative to the Milan Cortina Games.
  • The inclusion of big air alongside halfpipe and slopestyle expands the snowboarding competition landscape, attracting athletes with diverse skill sets.

Impact Analysis:

The strong showing of Japanese and Italian snowboarders in the big air qualifying round at the 2026 Winter Olympics has potentially significant long-term implications. For Japan, it reinforces their standing as a leading nation in snowboarding and could lead to increased investment in the sport at the grassroots level. For Italy, Matteoli’s performance may inspire a new generation of Italian snowboarders and boost the sport’s popularity within the country. Furthermore, these results can influence sponsorships, media coverage, and athlete development programs in the coming years, shaping the future of competitive snowboarding.

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