In 2022, just days before his 18th birthday, Chinese snowboarder Su Yiming stood atop the Olympic podium with a gold medal around his neck — a defining moment that changed his life forever.
At only 17, Su captured gold in the men’s big air event at the Beijing Winter Olympics, etching his name into history.
Before his Olympic triumph, Su was already a familiar face in China, having achieved fame as a child actor in several popular films. But after winning gold — and a silver medal in the slopestyle competition — at his home Games, his popularity exploded.
Luxury brands rushed to collaborate with him, eager to be associated with the young athlete who had become a symbol of ambition and inspiration for China’s youth. Overnight, Su’s image was everywhere — from glossy fashion spreads to major television appearances — cementing his status as a national superstar.
Today, with over 300,000 Instagram followers and more than 2 million fans on Weibo, Su is one of the most recognizable figures heading into the next Winter Olympics in Italy.
“I feel really honored and lucky to have so many people watching and supporting me,” Su said from a training camp in Switzerland.
“I’ve always looked up to my idols — both in snowboarding and in life — so I understand what it means for young people to look up to theirs. I want to show them that if you truly love something and give it 100%, your dreams can come true.”
Early Beginnings: A Life on the Slopes
Su’s journey to Olympic glory was no coincidence.
Both of his parents were snowboarders, and with no babysitter available, they would often take him to the slopes when he was just four years old. He started on a snowboard bigger than he was, and it took nearly five years before he finally grew into it.
Those snowy hills in northern China soon became his second home. Even now, at 21, after years of fame and travel between major cities, Su still craves the peace of the mountains — a place where, as he puts it, “the only thing that matters is having fun on the board.”
Life as a Young Film Star
Before Su became an Olympic champion, he was already known across China for his work in film and television.
His acting debut came when film producers needed a snow-savvy child for a movie role. Su swapped his snowboard for skis to play Zi Shuan in the hit film The Taking of Tiger Mountain.
The movie struck a chord with audiences and launched his acting career, leading to more roles in both film and TV.
“That memory gives me a really special feeling,” he recalled. “Not many kids get to experience such amazing things — it was pretty crazy.”
Despite his success as an actor, Su never lost his passion for snowboarding. When Beijing was awarded the 2022 Winter Olympics, his dream took shape — he decided to focus entirely on the sport.
By 2018, he had committed to snowboarding full-time, and a year later, he entered his first major competition, quickly revealing his immense potential.
Becoming a Champion
No matter how he performed, Su never stopped dreaming of the Olympics. He devoted his life to improvement, and his dedication paid off.
After an incredible season leading up to the 2022 Games, Su was selected to represent China — and he delivered in spectacular fashion. He earned two medals: a silver in slopestyle and the coveted gold in big air.
However, after achieving his lifelong goal, Su suddenly felt lost.
“I kind of lost my passion for competing,” he admitted. “I still loved snowboarding, but I decided to take a year and a half off to rest — both mentally and physically.”
He described waking up the morning after his gold medal win feeling “empty.” For so long, his dream had been everything. With it fulfilled, he needed to rediscover his purpose.
During his break, Su spent time reconnecting with his family and nature, exploring other passions like fashion and creative pursuits.
“I still went snowboarding, but without any purpose — not for competition, just for fun,” he said. “That really helped. I realized snowboarding is just one part of my life.”
A Renewed Drive for Gold
After his time away, Su returned to competition with a fresh mindset and a new mission: to defend his Olympic title in Italy.
He acknowledges that this time around, the pressure is different.
“There’s definitely more pressure going into the next Olympics,” Su said. “Last time, I was just a nobody challenging myself. Now people expect more. But I’ve learned to use that pressure as motivation.”
He credits conversations with his family and the mental reset after the Games for helping him find balance and focus again.
Finding Balance Beyond the Board
Outside of competition, Su’s life is packed with activities — from brand collaborations to international appearances — yet he remains grounded and down-to-earth.
“I’m a pretty chill guy, especially when I’m back home,” he said. “I love spending time with family — just having dinner together and talking. That’s really special to me, it’s like recharging.”
In his downtime, Su enjoys playing pool, fishing, and surfing — activities that help him stay close to nature and keep life in perspective.
“I’m not the type to sit at home watching my phone or a movie,” he said with a smile. “I’d rather be outside, doing things that make me feel connected to nature.”
But come February next year, the world will once again see the other side of Su Yiming — the fearless, world-class competitor ready to prove he’s still the best snowboarder on the planet.
