Back in Beijing After Rising on the Biggest International Stage in 2022, Ming Returns with a Focus on Balance, Quiet Time on the Snow, and Clarity for 2026.
Red Bull athlete Su Yiming (China) returns to the Beijing Big Air World Cup with his sights set on Livigno in 2026, stepping back into the venue where he first rose to prominence on the world’s biggest winter stage in 2022. Arriving fresh off a dominant win in Secret Garden, Ming enters the season with renewed clarity while maintaining the grounded mindset he says keeps him performing at his best.
“The 2022 version of me was a dreamer who’d just caught lightning in a bottle,” said Ming. Now 21, the Chinese snowboarder has reshaped his approach to training and competition. “The 2026 me is still that dreamer, but now with a much clearer roadmap,” he added.
Managing expectations, partnerships, academic commitments, and elite-level pressure, he continues to prioritise “quiet time on the snow” and “the freedom to train without distraction.”
Between contests, Ming studies at Tsinghua University, creates music as a “portable sanctuary,” and enjoys playing pool with friends – a blend he says helps him maintain balance and perspective throughout the season.
As he returns to Beijing for the second FIS Snowboard World Cup of 2025/26, the question remains: will home-snow advantage give him an extra edge?
Qualifications begin Friday, 5 December, with the women’s event at 10:20 CST and the men’s at 13:40 CST.
Context
Beijing Big Air remains one of the most technically demanding stops on the global circuit, known for its long landing zone and precision-dependent kicker geometry. Athletes must adapt rapidly to variable temperatures and shifting wind patterns, making consistency and mental control decisive factors.
Key facts
Event FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup – Beijing
Athlete Su Yiming (China, 21) – Red Bull athlete
2022 Milestone Gold on the world’s biggest winter stage in 2022
Most Recent Win Secret Garden World Cup – 23 November 2025
Beijing Event
Date
5-6 December 2025
Season Focus Building toward Livigno in 2026
Training Priorities
Quiet time on snow, trust with team, distraction-free preparation
Academic Base Tsinghua University, Beijing
Performance Overview
- 2021 Big Air World Cup Steamboat – Gold
- 2022 Beijing Olympics – Big Air Gold; Slopestyle Silver
- 2023 X Games Big Air – Bronze
2023 Beijing Big Air World Cup – Gold
- 2025 FIS World Championships Slopestyle – Silver
- 2025: First documented 2160° spin – 6 full rotations performed during training
- 2025: Big Air World Cup, Secret Garden – Gold; strong amplitude
and execution on left/right spin variations.
- Beijing Big Air Preparation Phase – Increased focus on edge precision, air awareness, and landing control.
- 2026 Outlook – Strategy centred on consistency, mental resets, and time away from distractions.
Q&A with Su Yiming
Q: How do you feel about the upcoming biggest world competition
– you’ll be the defending champion, how much is that in your head
already?
Su Yiming: Being the defending champion adds a distinct dimension to my preparation, but I choose to frame it not as pressure to “defend” something, but as a rare chance to compete at the sport’s highest level – this time with more experience, grit, and self-awareness. The 2022 title is behind me; it’s a chapter I’m grateful for, but not one that defines my present. The goal isn’t to replicate past success, but to be better than I was yesterday. To the outside world, “defending” might be a headline -but for me, I’ll just be another athlete on that mountain, showing up to land my best run, plain and simple.
Q: How is 2026 Su Yiming different from the 2022 version? Could you describe how your life and training have changed?
Su Yiming: The 2022 version of me was a dreamer who’d just caught lightning in a bottle – all raw passion and the explosive joy of breaking through. The 2026 me is still that dreamer, but now with a much clearer roadmap. Life has shifted from a singular, all-consuming focus on snowboarding to mastering the balance between the demands of this level
– media, partnerships, expectations – and fiercely guarding the core of what matters: quiet time on the snow, trust with my team, and the freedom to train without distraction. I’ve grown from a rider who wins contests to an athlete building a sustainable career – one that honours the sport I love while allowing me to show up fully, both on and off the mountain.
Q: Life as a pro snowboarder can be pretty hectic. Do you have any small routines that keep you calm on the daily?
Su Yiming: Music is my portable sanctuary. Whether I’m travelling across time zones, recovering from a tough training session, or just need to tune out the noise, sliding on my headphones instantly shifts my mindset. It can energise me when I’m dragging, or calm me down when my thoughts feel scattered. It’s not just a routine; it’s an integral part of my daily rhythm that keeps me grounded, focused, and connected to myself.
Q: What would you say are the little things you enjoy the most in life?
Su Yiming: After so much time in the intense, high-energy world of competition and constant travel, the little, unscripted moments are everything. The feeling of perfectly sharpened edges gliding over fresh snow on a morning’s first run. The sound of my coach and team’s laughter after a gruelling day of training. Even the simple act of stretching in a quiet room, feeling my body reset and recover. These are the moments of pure, uncomplicated presence – no pressure, no expectations – just gratitude for the small joys that fuel me.
Q: What are your favourite things to do when you’re not snowboarding?
Su Yiming: When I’m not snowboarding, playing pool with friends is my go-to. It’s like chess on a table: it requires focus, a sense of geometry, and a steady hand, but in a laid-back, fun setting where the stakes are low and the laughter is loud. It hones my competitive edge in a fresh, low-pressure way, but above all, it’s about connection. Spending time with friends, letting loose, and remembering that life isn’t just about training and contests – it’s about the moments that make the hard work worth it.
Why It Matters
Su Yiming’s progression from rising prodigy to globally recognised figure illustrates a shift toward long-term athlete development in competitive snowboarding. His balance of academic life, creative expression, and elite performance reflects a modern approach that resonates beyond sport, while his ongoing presence at the forefront of Big Air contributes to the discipline’s evolving technical standards.
