Australia’s Scotty James wins halfpipe silver medal at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics

Australian snowboarding superstar Scotty James has secured a silver medal at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics after an enthralling halfpipe final.

James hit the front with a 92.50 on his second run but fell short when Japan’s Ayumu Hirano scored a 96.00 on his final run to win gold, while 16-year-old Aussie Valentino Guseli (79.75) finished sixth.

Watch Scotty James’ run to silver in the video above

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Switzerland’s Jan Scherrer won bronze with an 87.25 on his second run.

James washed out on his third attempt and couldn’t improve, giving Hirano all the ammo to go one better and seal the title.

“I really hope people don’t think I’m at all disappointed. I’m absolutely incredibly over the moon,” James later told Channel 7.

“I came out, gave it my best shot. That’s all we can ask for as athletes. I work incredibly hard, it’s been an incredible journey.

“I’m absolutely - I don’t have too many words for it right now, I’m absolutely thrilled.”

James is a three-time world champion and four-time X Games gold medallist and widely considered one of the greatest at his craft.

Desperate to improve on his PyeongChang 2018 bronze medal, the 27-year-old finalised his runs three months ago and was confident he knew exactly where his rivals would be.

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He is already eyeing off a gold medal at the next Winter Olympics.

“I’m still very young, I’ve still got a lot of vision, I’m very driven,” James told Channel 7.

“I’ve got the bronze, I’ve got the silver - now I need to finish off my collection for the pool room with gold in Italy.”