Ruka Hirano

Ruka Hirano was born on March 12, 2002, in Osaka, Japan. He began snowboarding at the age of 7 and debuted in the YONEX JUNIOR GLOW UP PROJECT at 10. Hirano gained international prominence at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne, where he secured a gold medal in the halfpipe event. This early success established him as a significant talent in professional snowboarding and set the foundation for his career progression.

Hirano continued his career by competing in major events, including the X Games and the Olympic Games. In 2021, at X Games Aspen XXV, he earned a bronze medal in the SuperPipe, a notable achievement for an 18-year-old rookie. He participated in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where he competed in the Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe event, placing 12th. His consistent performance at various international competitions has positioned him as one of the accomplished snowboarders from Japan. Hirano’s skill in the halfpipe is characterized by technical proficiency and complex maneuvers, such as the switch backside double cork 1080 and frontside double cork 1260, which he showcased early in his X Games career.

Throughout his career, Hirano has accumulated multiple World Cup wins, demonstrating his sustained competitiveness. He achieved a silver medal at X Games Aspen 2024 in the Monster Energy Men’s Snowboard SuperPipe. His ability to incorporate advanced tricks, like the triple cork 1440, into his runs further highlights his dedication to advancing the sport. Hirano is also an athlete employee of INPEX CORPORATION, joining in April 2024, balancing his professional sports career with this role.