Su Yiming, China’s celebrated Olympic snowboarding champion, recently expressed his boundless passion and commitment to snowboarding as he sets his eyes on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Following his remarkable victory at the Big Air World Cup held at the Big Air Shougang in Beijing, Su shared his thoughts and aspirations with reporters.
Snowboarding, for Su, is a sport with endless possibilities, constantly evolving and demanding creativity. His approach to snowboarding is to blend creativity with difficulty, aiming to showcase exciting and innovative performances. This philosophy was evident in his recent competition, where Su commenced his event with a nearly perfect switch backside 1800 melon grab, a challenging trick that he mastered only during the second day of training at the Beijing event. This impressive performance earned him a score of 89.00.
Su further dazzled the audience with a backside 1980 Indy, for which he received a score of 95.50. His combined score of 184.50 set a standard that remained unmatched by other competitors, securing his lead and victory.
Reflecting on his winning experience, Su recalled the emotional journey he shared with his coach before his final run. He felt a sense of déjà vu, standing in the same spot where he had clinched the gold medal at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Su’s strategy was similar to his Olympic approach: focus on delivering two solid runs without the need for overly risky maneuvers on the final attempt. Winning the event in his first attempt since the Olympics filled him with gratitude and satisfaction.
After his success at the Beijing Olympics, Su took a nearly two-year hiatus from competitive snowboarding. This break allowed him to evolve both physically and mentally, deepening his understanding and love for the sport. Despite the time away from competition, his passion for snowboarding remained steadfast.
However, Su acknowledged the challenges that lay ahead. The 19-year-old athlete, already a prominent figure in snowboarding, is aware of the physical and mental demands of returning to competitive form. Despite the challenges, he remains focused on his goal of competing in the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics. Su’s determination is not just about personal achievement; he aims to continue promoting snowboarding by winning more championships, thereby inspiring others and contributing to the growth of the sport.
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