X Games rookie Rocco Jamieson continues NZ’s medal streak, claiming bronze in Snowboard Big Air

Photo – X -Games Men’s -Snowboard -Slopestyle -Podium (LR) Taiga Hasegawa (JPN) silver, Hiroto Origawa (JPN) gold, Rocco Jamieson (NZL) bronze. Credit Brett Wilhelm / X Games

New Zealand’s medal streak at the Aspen

The competition was fierce, with unprecedented progress. A score in the 90s during the playoffs wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the finals, and history was made with the first 2160 rotation (six full rotations) in the competition – followed by two more variations from other drivers.

As the youngest competitor, Jamieson stood out with his unique style. In playoffs he wowed the judges with a bloody Dracula tomb from 1800 Front.

The finale delivered the most cutting-edge advances X Games is known for. Hiroto Ogiwara of Japan made history with a 2340 mute – six and a half full rotations – the top score of the day at 97.33.

Jamieson re-landed his Frontside 1800 Bloody Dracula with a flawless takeoff and landing. On his second run he attempted a 2160 but couldn’t quite stick the landing. Nevertheless, his earlier performance was enough to secure the bronze medal in a field containing the best in the world.

Rocco in action in Snowboard Big Air at the 2025 Aspen X Games. Credit Joshua Duplechian / X Games.

Ogiwara claimed gold with his breakthrough run, while fellow Japanese rider and 2024 x Games gold medalist Taiga Hasegawa took silver.

Before the major air medals were even awarded, Jamieson was back in action, competing in the Snowboard Knuckle Huck event. He finished a commendable fourth place, rounding off a remarkable debut and historic day for New Zealand snowboarding at X Games.

The excitement continues tomorrow in Aspen with Kiwi athletes competing in the women’s ski slopestyle, men’s big air and men’s ski superpipe.

Watch Ricco’s run here