Chinese snowboarder Su Yiming has cemented his status as a winter sports icon after securing his second Olympic gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The 22-year-old athlete, who claimed both China's first gold and first overall medal of this year's Olympics, sat down with CGTN Sports Scene to share insights into his extraordinary career.
Eleven days after earning bronze in the men's big air final on February 7, Su delivered a birthday masterpiece on February 18 – scoring 82.41 points to win slopestyle gold. "It feels unreal," admitted the athlete, whose medal count now stands at two golds, one silver, and one bronze across two Olympic appearances.
The victory carries special significance for China's winter sports development. "This time, I felt greater responsibility to showcase how Chinese snowboarding has progressed," Su revealed, acknowledging the increased pressure following his breakthrough performance at Beijing 2022.
His path to the podium wasn't without obstacles. After taking a two-year hiatus post-2022, Su battled physical injuries and mental challenges before returning stronger. "Maintaining confidence during that period was tough, but overcoming those struggles ultimately made me a better athlete," he reflected.
As winter sports gain momentum across Asia, Su's achievements position him as both a sporting trailblazer and an inspiration for China's next generation of athletes. With his historic back-to-back Olympic triumphs, the snowboarder has etched his name in the annals of winter sports history.
