The men’s half-pipe competition was expected to be an intense affair. The depth of talent competing at the Games is stunning. While Shaun White is appearing in his last Olympic Games, Ayumu Hirano is looking to win his first gold medal. The sensational superstar from Japan is one of the best snowboarders in the world right now. Moreover, his famous frontside triple cork made its Olympic debut.
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Ever since he debuted that trick back at the Dew Tour, fans were eager to see him repeat it on the grandest of all stages. To their aid, he do and did not disappoint.
Ayumu Hirano lands first-ever triple cork at Olympics
The frontside triple cork is one of the hardest tricks to complete. It involves four full rotations along with three off-axis flips. The degree of difficulty to do the trick is unbelievable. However, Hirano landed it during his first run at the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Even though he fell down and could not complete his run, he scored 33.75 in his first run, just for that trick. A stunning feat by the talented snowboarder, indeed.
Ayumu Hirano lands the first ever triple cork in Olympic Halfpipe history!
Tune in for runs two and three on @nbc & @peacockTV.
💻: https://t.co/W94f4Sb0TP pic.twitter.com/r6syBpQEV9— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 11, 2022
He first landed the trick during the Dew Tour and left many impressed, including Shaun White. White is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and Hirano is the biggest threat to his fight for a medal in Beijing. Thus, he was in full praise of his rival after he landed the triple cork.
“The bar?s been raised and it?s been set, and now it?s nice because we?re all aware, at least I?m very aware, that?s where it is and this is where we need to be,” said White.
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Can Shaun White defeat him?
It has been a rivalry for ages. Along with James Scotty, these three athletes are competing at the grandest stage of them all. It is incredible to watch three sensational men competing at the highest level. Hence, White would hope to win a medal for his final Olympic appearance.
Apart from that, Shaun White hopes to stop the Ayumu express first to win the gold. But bounded by age against younger counterparts, can he do it?
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