The excitement builds for the Winter Olympic in Milano Cortina 2026, one name is capturing the attention of the global snowboarding community: Ogiwara Hiroto. At just 19 years old, Ogiwara is already a legend in the making, having etched his name into snowboarding history as the first man to land a backside 2160 a move that involves a mind-boggling six full rotations. With another Olympic cycle on the horizon, Ogiwara is now preparing for what could be the defining moment of his young but already remarkable career. Here’s a deeper dive into the life, career, and future aspirations of Japan’s rising snowboarding star as he enters the penultimate season before winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026.
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The Beginning of a Snowboarding Prodigy
Born on July 19, 2005, in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, Ogiwara Hiroto’s journey into the world of snowboarding started early. Ushiku, located about 50 kilometers east of Tokyo, isn’t known for its snowy winters, yet Ogiwara found his calling on the slopes thanks to his father, who introduced him to the sport when he was just three years old. What started as a casual hobby quickly became a passion, and by the age of nine, Ogiwara had already performed a backside 1080 three full rotations that took the snowboarding world by storm, going viral online and marking him as a future star to watch. While most kids his age were focused on school and play, Ogiwara was honing his skills on the slopes.
In 2017, at the age of 12, he earned his professional snowboarding license while still a student in junior high school. It was an unprecedented achievement that signaled his early mastery of the sport and set the stage for a string of significant milestones that would follow in the years to come.
Early Career and Breakthrough Performances
Ogiwara’s professional debut came with much fanfare, and it didn’t take long for him to make his mark on the competitive snowboarding scene. Just four years after earning his pro license, he secured his first national title in Japan, which he successfully defended the following year. His rapid rise continued when he participated in the World Rookie Finals, an elite competition for under-18 snowboarders, in both 2021 and 2022. The event brings together the best young talents in the sport, and Ogiwara proved he was more than capable of holding his own against the world’s finest emerging riders.
However, it was in 2022 that Ogiwara truly shocked the snowboarding community and cemented his place in history. At The Nines event in Crans-Montana, Switzerland a biannual competition that often serves as a platform for groundbreaking tricks and innovations Ogiwara became the first person ever to land a backside 2160. This trick, which involves six full rotations in the air, had been thought to be almost impossible. Yet, on his sixth attempt, Ogiwara pulled it off, earning him international acclaim and setting a new benchmark for what was possible in winter Olympic snowboarding.
I’m very happy Ogiwara said after successfully completing the trick, an understatement for what was one of the most significant moments in the sport’s history. His achievement not only demonstrated his exceptional technical skill but also his mental fortitude, as landing such a complex trick requires immense focus, precision, and confidence. You can read Winter Olympics: From Snurfing to Snowboarding
A Champion on the World Stage
Following his groundbreaking 2160, Ogiwara’s career continued on an upward trajectory. The 2023-2024 season was a breakout year for the teenage phenom, as he secured his first World Cup victory at the FIS Big Air event in Chur, Switzerland. The win was particularly special, as it came during the Big Air Chur festival, a highly anticipated annual event that attracts some of the top talent in the world of snowboarding. Not content with just one win, Ogiwara capped off the season with another victory in Europe, this time at the European Cup in Corvatsch.
The momentum didn’t stop there. Ogiwara kicked off his 2024-2025 campaign in style, winning the New Zealand Freestyle Nationals in Cardrona last month. With each competition, the young snowboarder has shown that he’s not just a one-trick pony; his performances demonstrate consistent growth, versatility, and a drive to keep pushing the boundaries of the sport.
Preparing for winter olympic Milano Cortina 2026
As the snowboarding world gears up for another thrilling season, all eyes will be on Ogiwara as he prepares for Milano Cortina 2026. With the winter Olympic Games less than two years away, he is entering a crucial period in his career. The pre-Olympic season, often referred to as the “penultimate season” for athletes, is where many fine-tune their skills and ramp up their performances in preparation for the world’s biggest stage. For Ogiwara, this period is about more than just maintaining his current form it’s about reaching new heights.
In interviews, Ogiwara has been clear about his ambitions. Eventually, I want to win a gold medal at the X Games. Then the winter Olympic Games he said. The X Games, often regarded as the pinnacle of freestyle snowboarding and extreme sports, would be a natural stepping stone for Ogiwara as he sets his sights on Olympic glory. By the time Milano Cortina 2026 rolls around, Ogiwara will be 20 years old, entering what many believe will be his peak physical years. For the next Games, I’ll be 20, when I should be in my best physical condition. I’ll be locked in for that he added.
While Ogiwara’s talent and accomplishments have already made him a star, the next two years will be critical in determining whether he can translate his individual successes into winter Olympic gold. The Winter Olympic are a completely different stage, where the pressure is immense, and the competition fierce. But if anyone is poised to rise to the occasion, it’s Ogiwara.
Ogiwara’s Journey Preparing for the Winter Olympic
Despite his young age, Ogiwara faces significant challenges in the lead-up to winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026. The level of competition in winter Olympic snowboarding has never been higher, with athletes from countries like Canada, the United States, and Norway consistently pushing the envelope in terms of technical prowess and creativity. However, Ogiwara has already proven that he’s capable of innovation, and his ability to perform under pressure sets him apart from many of his peers.
One of the key aspects of Ogiwara’s preparation will be maintaining his physical and mental health. Winter Olympic Snowboarding, particularly at the level Ogiwara competes at, is incredibly demanding on the body. Injuries are a constant risk, and managing both training and recovery will be essential if he is to be in top form for the Games.
Additionally, the mental toll of competing at such a high level can be significant, but Ogiwara’s calm demeanor and focus suggest that he has the resilience necessary to handle the pressures that come with being a top-tier athlete.
A Future winter Olympic Champion?
As Ogiwara Hiroto continues to break records and set new standards in snowboarding, the world eagerly anticipates what he will achieve next. His journey from a snowboarding prodigy in Japan to a global superstar has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it seems likely that his best is yet to come. With the Winter Olympic in Milano Cortina 2026 fast approaching, Ogiwara is entering the most important phase of his career, and all signs point to him being a serious contender for winter Olympic gold.
Whether he achieves his ultimate goal remains to seen, but one thing is clear: Ogiwara Hiroto is a name that will remembered in the snowboarding world for years to come.
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