Su Yiming competes in the big air World Cup at the Big Air Shougang in Beijing. Photo: Courtesy of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports
China's Olympic snowboarding champion Su Yiming said there is no limit as he strives for further progress in the sport, as he already sets his sights on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
"Snowboarding has no limits for me as it is constantly evolving," Su told reporters after winning Saturday's big air World Cup at the Big Air Shougang in Beijing.
"It is a sport that calls for creativity. I will explore more diversity in snowboarding and more possibilities for myself, combining creativity and difficulty to show more exciting performances.
Su started off his evening on Saturday with a near-perfect switch backside 1800 melon grab - a trick he only successfully landed on the second day of training at the event in Beijing - to earn a score of 89.00.
He then followed that up with a backside 1980 Indy, earning a score of 95.50 for a combined score of 184.50, with a lead unbridgeable by other players.
"I worked through many emotions with my coach at the top before my last run," Su said from the finish area after his victory run at the site where he won a gold medal for China at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
"It was the same spot where I stood before I won my gold medal. We had the same plan as at the Olympics; have two good runs and then I don't really have to try something crazy on the last run. It feels so good to win on my first try out since the Olympics and I'm very grateful."
After the Beijing Olympics, Su took a nearly two-year break from the sport until his participation in the World Cup event in Beijing.
"Though I have changed both physically and mentally, my love for the sport does not change. The days without competition have made me develop a further understanding of the sport," he said.
But he acknowledged the challenges ahead, as the 19-year-old, considered a leading figure in the sport, has set his sights on the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics.
"I hadn't competed in a long time and getting back on the field was a challenge for me both physically and mentally," Su told reporters.
"But I understand the challenges ahead, as I will continue to promote the sport by winning more championships."
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