LIVIGNO, Italy – A devastating trampoline accident as a teenager left United States men's snowboarderJake Canterwithout the ability to hear out of his right ear.
So say it loud and proud – Canter is an Olympic medalist.
Canter won bronze in themen's slopestylecompetition Wednesday at the2026 Winter Olympics. He was in 10th after the first two runs but went all out for his third and final run of the day. He flipped an extra rotation off the last rail element, stomped his last two jumps and raised both arms in excitement as he went to the finish area. Awaiting his score, he made the sign for "prayer hands." The shred gods delivered a nice number on his behalf — 79.36.China's Su Yiming took gold and was by far the most consistent rider of the day. His best score was 82.41 on his first run. Taiga Hasegawa from Japan took silver with 82.13, also secured in his first run.
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Team USA veteranRed Gerardplaced sixth with a best score of 76.60. And 17-year-oldOllie Martincame in ninth with a 75.36.
After Canter won the Aspen World Cup slopestyle competition in January to make Team USA, he was overcome with emotion.
"Just can't believe this is happening … to be in this position I'm in, I'm so grateful, so thankful," he told USA TODAY Sports. "It really means the world. It's everything I wanted."
Lucas Eguibar Breton of Team Spain, Alvaro Romero Villanueva of Team Spain, Loan Bozzolo of Team France and Adam Lambert of Team Australia compete in the Men's Snowboard Cross 1/8 Finals on day six of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Snow Park on February 12, 2026 in Livigno, Italy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
See winners of the men's snowboard cross final at 2026 Winter Olympics
Lucas Eguibar Breton of Team Spain, Alvaro Romero Villanueva of Team Spain, Loan Bozzolo of Team France and Adam Lambert of Team Australia compete in the Men's Snowboard Cross 1/8 Finals on day six of theMilano Cortina 2026Winter Olympic games at Livigno Snow Park on February 12, 2026 in Livigno, Italy.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jake Canter slopestyle bronze a shocking win for Team USA at Olympics
