In a breathtaking Olympic debut, 19-year-old Japanese sensation Mari Fukada snatched women’s snowboard slopestyle gold at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, posting a flawless final-run score of 87.83 to hold off New Zealand’s reigning champion Zoi Sadowski-Synnott by a razor-thin 0.35 points.
The drama peaked in the decisive third run at Livigno Snow Park, where all podium scores dropped, showcasing precision under immense pressure amid Japan’s dominant snowboarding campaign—now tallying nine medals here.
Fukada’s Poise Seals Historic Win
Fukada’s victory marks her as Japan’s youngest female Winter Olympic gold medalist, highlighted by a crisp switchback 12 (three-and-a-half spins) and steady rail navigation on the demanding course. “The rails felt endless and tough, but I kept it clean to the finish—I’m over the moon,” the teenager shared post-podium, still processing her feat.
This triumph adds to Japan’s slopestyle sweep, following teammate Kokomo Murase’s Big Air gold earlier in the Games, underscoring the nation’s freestyle prowess.
Sadowski-Synnott Etches Record with Silver
New Zealand’s 24-year-old Zoi Sadowski-Synnott roared back with a clutch 87.48—featuring cab double cork 2, backside 10 mute, and frontside 10 mute—to snag silver, her fifth Olympic medal overall (1 gold, 3 silvers, 1 bronze). She becomes the most decorated snowboarder in history, male or female, including a Big Air silver at these Games.
“I’m stoked with the effort—went big on that last run,” Sadowski-Synnott said, though some fans and experts debate if she was robbed of gold by judges’ calls.
Murase Nets Bronze Amid High Hopes
Japan’s 21-year-old Kokomo Murase rounded out the podium with 85.80, securing bronze and her third career Olympic medal—adding to her Big Air gold here and Beijing 2022 bronze. Despite the haul, she voiced bittersweet resolve: “Thrilled for the medal, but I chased dual golds and felt the expectations weighing heavy.”
Murase’s dual-medal Games exemplify Japan’s snowboarding surge, with Fukada’s gold pushing their Milano Cortina tally to record heights
