Malinin, the two-time World champion and overwhelming favorite to retain for the U.S. the Olympic men’s gold medal Nathan Chen won four years ago in Beijing, finished second to Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama.
Japan struck gold early as Kira Kimura rallied from fourth with a massive last jump to beat teammate Ryoma Kimata in men’s big air.
Japan won three medals on Saturday, Day 2 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, including a one-two finish in the men's snowboard big air event.
The first snowboarding event of the 2026 Winter Olympics is in the books. Japan’s Kira Kimura, making his Olympic debut, took gold in men’s big air on Saturday.
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Ilia Malinin finishes second, U.S. women win hockey again as Day 1 of Olympic competition wraps up
Evan Bates and Madison Chock closed today's events with a boost to Team USA's score, earning the team 10 points in their ice dance free dance event. As of now, the Japanese figure skating team ranks second with 39 points, and Italy trails closely behind with 37 points.
Some Japanese Olympians were raised in the country’s snowiest landscapes, while others grew up far from dependable winter conditions.
The first five gold medals of the Milan Cortina Games were handed out today, plus action continued in women's hockey, curling, luge and more
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