Yang Wenlong secures bronze in Snowboard and Freestyle Skiing Big Air World Cup

Yang Wenlong of China added a new chapter to his career as a snowboarder after securing the men's bronze medal at the Snowboard and Freestyle Skiing Big Air World Cup at Shougang Park in Beijing on Sunday.

Yang reached the final together with his compatriot Su Yiming, who won the 2022 Winter Olympic gold medal of the event at the same venue. Su failed to stick in his first two runs and finished in the 10th place in the end.

By contrast, Yang completed a backside 1800 on his second run and scored 81.25 points before ranking second behind Japan's Hiroto Ogiwara.

Ogiwara eventually clinched the victory with 169.50 points, four points ahead of the runner-up Ian Matteoli of Italy. Matteoli landed the first-ever frontside 2160 at a World Cup event and was given a score of 97.75 points.

Yang came in third with 159.25 points, standing on the podium at a world-level event for the first time in his career.

"I did not perform well over the last few years, because I was too nervous to finish my moves, but I'm in good shape this season," Yang told CGTN Sports Scene's Damion Jones. "And here, competing in front of my friends and all the home fans, they encouraged me a lot. Compared to last year's strategy, I made some adjustments here by reducing some difficulty, and trying to land solidly during each run."

"I feel really happy, but I'm also sober. For me, the bronze is my first medal at a world-class event, but I think it's only a start. I will try to maintain my good form, and get ready for the 2026 Milan Olympics," the 25-year-old added.

Mia Brookes of Britain finished top in the women's snowboard final with 179.75 points. Mari Fukada of Japan came in second scoring 176.75 followed by Anna Gasser of Austria with 169.00.