Ruka Hirano

Ruka Hirano is quickly rising to the top of the incredibly talented Japanese field with consistency and halfpipe technicality. In 2020, he was crowned Youth Olympic Champion, and since then, he’s racked up impressive accolades, including two back-to-back halfpipe Crystal Globes in 2023 and 2024. With 17 World Cup podiums, his most recent finish was at Copper Mountain, where he helped complete a Japanese podium sweep. Ruka also took bronze in his rookie X Games appearance in 2022. Atop his arsenal of tricks is a Cab triple cork 1440, which he’s gearing up to land in competition.