Overview
- The Ski Association of Japan confirmed Hirano on its 52-athlete ski and snowboard roster announced Tuesday ahead of the Jan. 26 nomination deadline.
- Hirano crashed on his first run at the Laax Open on Jan. 17, withdrew with facial bleeding, and reported pain in his left groin and right knee as his board snapped on impact.
- His start at the Games remains uncertain because a Late Athlete Replacement policy allows substitutions if medical criteria are met after rosters are named.
- Japan also selected Yuto Totsuka and Ruka Hirano for the men’s halfpipe, with Kokomo Murase leading the women’s park and jump contingent and Tomoka Takeuchi set for a seventh and final Olympics at age 42.
- Hirano’s brother posted a photo showing the rider on crutches with visible cuts to his face, underscoring the severity of the injury and the lack of a fuller public medical update.