Ikuma Horishima Wins Historic Silver in Dual Moguls, Inspiring a Nation and Celebrating Family Bonds at Milan-Cortina 2026

Ikuma Horishima secured a silver medal in the men's dual moguls freestyle skiing event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This remarkable achievement marks his second medal at the games, having already earned a bronze, making it an early success story. It is also the first time a Japanese athlete has won a medal in the new event of dual moguls, an historic feat that has electrified the entire nation.

Men's dual moguls is an exciting new discipline where two skiers descend simultaneously, competing on time and the perfection of their aerials. In the final, Horishima clashed with the reigning champion, Mikaël Kingsbury of Canada. In a thrilling and suspenseful race, Horishima executed an aggressive run but narrowly missed out on gold, settling for silver. Fellow Japanese representative Takuya Shimakawa also secured a commendable 4th place, showcasing the depth of talent within the Japanese team.

Flashing a V-sign and a smile on the podium, Horishima commented, "It was a day that sparked my imagination for a gold medal." His positive attitude, viewing this disappointment as motivation for future success, deeply moved many.

Furthermore, a heartwarming scene unfolded after the medal ceremony. The three medalists – gold medalist Kingsbury, silver medalist Horishima, and bronze medalist Matt Graham (Australia) – gathered for a commemorative photo with their wives and children. This picture garnered numerous comments on social media, such as "Three dad friends taking gold, silver, and bronze!", drawing significant attention to the cross-border sportsmanship and family bonds.

The men's dual moguls ignited excitement across Japan. Ikuma Horishima's silver medal delivered not only a brilliant performance but also an emotional resonance that transcended the competition itself.

The Context

The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are a major international multi-sport event. Freestyle skiing, a dynamic and popular discipline, features various events including moguls. Dual moguls is a relatively new and exciting format where two skiers race head-to-head down a mogul field, incorporating two jumps. This format emphasizes not only speed and technical precision over the bumps but also the execution and amplitude of aerial tricks.

Ikuma Horishima is a prominent Japanese freestyle skier, already a world champion and Olympic medalist in single moguls. His performance at these games, securing both a bronze and then a silver in the inaugural Olympic dual moguls event, highlights his versatility and skill. His competitor in the final, Mikaël Kingsbury of Canada, is widely regarded as one of the greatest moguls skiers of all time, making Horishima's silver medal an even more significant achievement. The success of Japanese athletes like Horishima and Shimakawa in winter sports, especially in new and challenging disciplines, generates immense national pride and excitement.