Mari Fukada Clinches Olympic Slopestyle Gold for Japan

AFP/APP

2026 Winter Olympics: Mari Fukada clinched gold in the women’s snowboard slopestyle event at Livigno Snow Park, delivering a standout performance to secure Japan’s record-equalling fifth gold medal of the Games.

The 19-year-old Olympic debutant posted a winning score of 87.83 in a fiercely contested final, edging out defending champion Zoi Sadowski-Synnott of New Zealand, who claimed silver with 87.48. Japan’s Kokomo Murase completed the podium, taking bronze with 85.80.

With Fukada’s triumph, Japan matched the five gold medals it secured as host at the 1998 Winter Olympics and extended its overall medal haul at Milan Cortina to 22 — a new national record for a single Winter Games.

Fukada, who finished fourth at the 2025 World Championships, produced two runs scoring in the 80s. Her decisive final run featured a switch backside 1260 mute grab and two 720s, sealing the victory.

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“The switch-backside trick is something I’ve worked on, so I’m really happy I was able to land it here,” said the Aichi Prefecture native. Reflecting on her earlier disappointment in the big air event, she added that shifting her focus to slopestyle and receiving encouragement from those around her boosted her confidence.

Murase, 21, had earlier captured gold in the big air event at these Games but admitted frustration after missing out on a second title.

“I was aiming for a second gold medal and felt like I delivered a perfect run that could win,” she said. “But I didn’t get the score I expected.”

Despite the disappointment, Murase vowed to return stronger at the next Olympics, determined to turn her frustration into motivation.

Japan’s third competitor, Reira Iwabuchi, placed eighth after failing to complete a clean run in her three attempts.