
The biggest show in snowboarding delivered. At X Games Aspen 2026 the Yonex athletes showed that the future has already begun. With two medals and historic tricks in the bag, the team left Buttermilk Mountain with their heads high.
Only a few weeks before the Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, Aspen was the ultimate benchmark. Under the floodlights of the superpipe and on the massive Big Air kicker, the next generation of the Yonex team proved it is ready for the top of the world.
Sensation in the superpipe: Rise Kudo takes silver
It was the story of the weekend: 16-year-old Rise Kudo stormed onto the podium on her X Games debut. Unfazed by the setting and the legendary field, Kudo put down a run full of technical craft and style.
With huge amplitude and cleanly stomped hits she took the silver medal in the women’s snowboard superpipe. The result confirms her meteoric rise this season and makes her a medal hope for Milan. Sena Tomita and Ruki Tomita also showed strong finals and how dense the level currently is inside the Japanese team.
Kira Kimura: Big Air bronze with technical precision
In the men’s Big Air contest, where the rotation level is redefined every year, Kira Kimura made a massive statement.
With the precision Yonex boards are known for, Kimura landed his heaviest tricks on the mark and took the bronze medal. In a field where every mistake was punished, he kept his nerve and claimed his metal. For Hiroaki Kunitake, also known for creative lines, Aspen was another important stop to tune his setup for the coming Olympic slopestyle courses.
Men’s halfpipe: Totsuka, Hirano and “history maker” Barbieri
The men’s pipe was a firework. Yuto Totsuka and Ruka Hirano, the constants of the World Cup, showed their usual strong runs with massive airtime. Both used the perfect shape of the Aspen pipe to refine the details of their 1440 combinations.
Particular focus sat on Alessandro Barbieri. The young American, who made headlines in early January at the Aspen World Cup (U.S. Grand Prix) with a historic triple cork and 3rd place, confirmed his form. Barbieri now belongs to the circle of riders lifting the sport physically to a new level — supported by Yonex carbon technology.
Next stop: Milano Cortina 2026
X Games Aspen was more than a contest — it was the last big measure before the season highlight. With Rise Kudo’s silver, Kira Kimura’s bronze and the form of Totsuka, Hirano and Barbieri, the team is ready.
Congratulations to Rise, Kira and the entire team on an incredible week in Aspen.

