Child actor Su Yiming wins China’s sixth Olympic gold medal as the nation’s first snowboarding medalist
Teen snowboarder Su Yiming won gold in the Snowboard Big Air final on Tuesday, claiming China’s sixth gold and 12th overall Winter Olympics medal this year.
The 17-year-old successfully landed a pair of 1800s on his first two runs, one frontside and one backside, in the competition. The spin is considered one of the most challenging tricks in snowboarding.
In the final run, Su landed a safer move with the frontside 360 Indy, securing the gold medal over runners-up Mons Roisland from Norway and Max Parrot from Canada.
“I had always dreamed about what it would be like to stand on the podium of the Olympics, and today, I did it,” Su told The Wall Street Journal.
Su had not seen his parents for several months while in training, which led to a heartwarming moment following his win in which Su was able to see his parents again in the stands before making his way to the podium.
“I was thinking back to when I was 4 years old and my first time snowboarding,” he said, according to ESPN. “I’m so appreciative. This moment is so special for my family.”
The former actor has appeared in several television dramas and films, including the 2014 film “The Taking of Tiger Mountain” at the age of 8. He eventually decided to focus on his passion for snowboarding, viewing the 2022 Beijing Olympics as an opportunity to represent his home country.
At the age of 14, Su began working with Japanese coach Yasuhiro Sato and went on to win the International Ski Federation Ski and Snowboard World Cup competition in December, making him the first Chinese athlete to secure a World Cup Big Air title, according to ESPN.
“Two years ago, I didn’t even know him,” Su’s fellow competitor Parrot said of the Chinese Olympian. “After the podium, we had a quick talk, and he told me I was one of his idols, and he has been looking up to me this past year. He said because of me, he has been pushing really hard.”
With Su bringing home the gold medal over his idol, Parrot added: “Now you are going to make me push really hard.”
Featured Image via Getty
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