Japan sweeps men's halfpipe podium at FIS Snowboard World Cup

Hirano Ayumu of Japan competes during the men's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

CHONGLI, China, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Japan swept the men's halfpipe podium at the FIS Snowboard World Cup here on Friday, while China's veteran rider Cai Xuetong claimed bronze in the women's event.

Led by Beijing 2022 Olympic champion Ayumu Hirano, seven Japanese competitors advanced to the 14-man final. Hirano secured gold with a first-run score of 93.50 points, followed by 2010 world champion Yuto Totsuka, who scored 90.25 for silver.

Ruka Hirano staged a remarkable comeback in the final run, climbing from 12th place to 89.00 points to clinch bronze, edging out Brazil's Patrick Burgener. China's Wang Ziyang finished eighth.

On the women's side, South Korea's 17-year-old Choi Ga-on delivered a stunning last run, scoring 92.75 to claim gold and overtake Japan's 16-year-old Youth Olympic champion Rise Kudo, who took silver with 90.25.

Cai, aiming for a fifth Winter Olympics, recovered from a first-run score of 20.00 to secure bronze with 80.50 in her second run.

"I really didn't expect to make it onto the podium today," said 32-year-old Cai. "The level of women's competition keeps rising so much. I'm really proud of myself for still having my place among such a high-level field."

"So I'll keep pushing for Milan, compete steadily in each event, build up my confidence, and save my best form for Milan," she added.

Compatriots Wu Shaotong and Liu Jiayu finished fourth and tenth, respectively.

"At each Winter Olympics, I've always set a goal for myself," said Liu, who's also a four-time Olympian. "This time I really want to focus on enjoying myself and to savor the happiness this sport brings me."

"Next, I'll first receive treatment on my injury. After that, I plan to compete in two World Cup events as a warm-up. I believe I can make it to Milan," Liu added. ■

Hirano Ruka of Japan competes during the men's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Shigeno Shuichiro of Japan competes during the men's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Totsuka Yuto of Japan competes during the men's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Wang Ziyang of China competes during the men's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Murakami Konosuke of Japan competes during the men's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Hirano Ayumu of Japan competes during the men's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Hirano Ruka of Japan competes during the men's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Gold medalist Japan's Hirano Ayumu (C), silver medalist Japan's Totsuka Yuto (L) and bronze medalist Japan's Hirano Ruka pose during the awarding ceremony after the men's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Gold medalist Japan's Hirano Ayumu (C), silver medalist Japan's Totsuka Yuto (L) and bronze medalist Japan's Hirano Ruka celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the men's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Cai Xuetong of China competes during the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Wu Shaotong of China competes during the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Liu Jiayu of China competes during the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Isabelle Loetscher of Switzerland competes during the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Kudo Rise of Japan competes during the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Ono Mitsuki of Japan competes during the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Brooke Dhondt of Canada competes during the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Queralt Castellet Ibanez of Spain competes during the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Ohashi Sorana of Japan competes during the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Bronze medalist Cai Xuetong of China reacts during the awarding ceremony for the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Gold medalist Choi Gaon (C) of South Korea, silver medalist Kudo Rise (L) of Japan and bronze medalist Cai Xuetong of China react during the awarding ceremony for the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Gold medalist Choi Gaon (C) of South Korea, silver medalist Kudo Rise (L) of Japan and bronze medalist Cai Xuetong of China celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Gold medalist Choi Gaon (C) of South Korea, silver medalist Kudo Rise (L) of Japan and bronze medalist Cai Xuetong of China pose for photos during the awarding ceremony for the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Gold medalist Choi Gaon of South Korea reacts during the awarding ceremony for the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Bronze medalist Cai Xuetong of China reacts during the awarding ceremony for the women's snowboard halfpipe final of FIS Snowboard World Cup 2025 in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)