After winning slopestyle and Big Air golds at China's National Winter Games, Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic champion Su Yiming has set his eyes on glory at Milan-Cortina 2026 with more inspiring moves, and says his preparation is even more challenging.
HOHHOT, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- After his remarkable success at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Su Yiming took some time off, embracing the quiet away from the spotlight and delving into new sports like surfing.
This break allowed the Beijing 2022 men's snowboard Big Air winner and slopestyle runner-up a moment of respite and reflection.
The 2023-24 season is witnessing the resurgence of the Chinese snowboarding sensation. Su has already secured a gold and a silver in the highly competitive FIS World Cup.
He also bagged two gold medals at China's ongoing National Winter Games.
Su Yiming in action during men's snowboard big air final at China's 14th National Winter Games in Hulun Buir, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Feb. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)
Now, as he approaches 20 years old, Su has his sights set on the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
"My goal remains unchanged, which is to win the Olympic gold," he declared.
However, Su candidly acknowledged that preparations for his second Winter Olympics will be significantly more challenging than those of Beijing 2022.
"I joined Beijing 2022 as a newcomer. Now, not only my body, but also my mentality, along with various non-sporting factors, will make the preparations for the next Olympics even more challenging," he admitted.
The emotional release after his victories at the National Winter Games was profound, as hundreds witnessed him embracing his family in tears after the Big Air event, and jubilantly tossing his snowboard into the air after winning the slopestyle competition.
Su kisses his gold medal after winning the men's snowboard Big Air at the National Winter Games. (Xinhua/Bei He)
The journey to the National Winter Games, fraught with the pressure of being an Olympic champion, an ankle injury and unpredictable weather, felt even more burdensome than his experience at Beijing 2022.
The pressure, perhaps a constant companion due to his early fame and being in the spotlight, is something Su acknowledged he must navigate throughout his long professional career.
Describing himself, Su used three short phrases to capture his personality: "A perfectionist, a person eager for victory, and a thoughtful individual." However, he added that he is constantly refining and balancing these aspects.
"In training, I am a perfectionist, wanting to execute every move flawlessly," Su said, despite emphasizing that he must compromise between the pursuit of perfection and the necessity of pragmatism. This was evident in the National Winter Games, where he had to lower the difficulty of his jumps and tricks, even if it meant finishing in a way he didn't want.
Situations requiring a quick change of mindset may have left him conflicted, but this realism is inherent in competitive sports.
"I am very eager for results. In competitions, I am very determined to win gold. I will spare no effort, giving my all to get the gold medal," said Su.
Su ends his run during the men's snowboard Big Air final at the National Winter Games. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
While snowboarding in the public eye is often associated with adventurous maneuvers, Su insisted, "I'm not much of a risk-taker. Every new move I attempt, every choice I make is thoroughly considered."
This approach aligns with the image Su has crafted for himself post-Beijing 2022. Whether standing calmly on the sidelines or exuding intense emotion, he radiates a mature and composed demeanor, displaying an aura that transcends his age.
"I am more mature now, especially in terms of my mindset," Su stated.
In the competitive snowboard world where rising to fame early is becoming a trend, Su now faces challenges from even younger competitors, transitioning from the role of super rookie into a target for other athletes to aim at.
"Seeing the efforts of these teenagers, I still want to keep my skills at the highest level and it requires significant effort," Su remarked.
Su in action during the men's snowboard Big Air qualification at the FIS Snowboard and Freeski Big Air World Cup at Big Air Shougang in Beijing, Dec. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Now, every single FIS Big Air and Slopestyle World Cup stop can attract nearly 60 participants, and Su's training and preparation are now under the scrutiny of snowboarding elites worldwide.
He also mentioned the fact that the difficulty level of jumps and tricks in Big Air and slopestyle is on the rise, with once gold-worthy jumps, like a 1440-degree spin, now considered a warm-up routine.
"But I believe that snowboarding is not merely a sport driven solely by the pursuit of difficulty. It's also important to infuse one's understanding of riding styles in competitions," Su noted, promising that, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, snowboard fans can expect more exciting moves from him.
Even during a period of rest after Beijing 2022, Su still looked for new inspiration.
"I went to many places, met many people, and experienced various things, gaining a deeper understanding of my life. These experiences are interconnected with snowboarding. Many snowboarding moves and principles are derived from these experiences," he explained.
Su sprays champagne after winning the men's snowboard Big Air final at the FIS Snowboard and Freeski Big Air World Cup in Beijing, Dec. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Yanan)
Back on the training ground, Su is continuously experimenting with new skills and styles. Practicing with some of the world's best athletes, Su and them have formed a passionate group dedicated to improving their riding and their understanding of snowboarding.
"We are the first ones up the mountain in the morning, and we keep practicing until the sun sets, only coming down when the slopes close," he said.
Beyond the slopes, the influence that comes with fame demands that Su navigates various facets of life.
Although he said his primary focus remains on preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics, he has recognized that his life journey is long, and he is eager to explore all possibilities in his career and life.
"Anything is possible for me," he said.
Expressing gratitude for his fans, Su says he values the role he plays as a role model for young people participating in winter sports. He initiated a charity fund in 2023, aiming to promote the development of youth sports education.
"As a snowboarder, an athlete, I always want to achieve better results in competitions, and I also have a crucial task of promoting snowboarding, making more people understand and embrace the sport," he stated. ■
