The Snow League founder, Shaun White, welcomes Yuto Totsuka into “the gold medal club” in a post-event interview at Event Three in Aspen, just days after Totsuka captured his 2026 Olympic halfpipe gold medal.
In the conversation, Shaun asks Totsuka about life after becoming an Olympic champion at Milan Cortina 2026.
“It was always a dream. And I’m so happy to have achieved it. It still feels unbelievable, but I feel like I’m finally realizing that it happened,” Totsuka says. “Walking around the city in Japan and having all kinds of people come up and talk to you, it hits me that I did win at the Olympics.”
Totsuka also reflects on how his goals have evolved beyond Olympic gold: “I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of snowboarder I can become.” He adds, “The Snow League is actually a really fun competition for me personally, and just to be here makes me feel like I’m doing my best.”
Shaun reveals he picked Totsuka to win both the inaugural Snow League event in Aspen and the Olympic title, saying, “I felt like this was really going to be your breakout moment.”
Totsuka responds, “To hear that from a legend who I respect makes me so happy, and to have lived up to your expectations makes me very happy as well.”
Shaun—three-time Olympic halfpipe gold medalist—closes the conversation by officially welcoming Totsuka into the gold medal club: “It’s not easy to get there, and I’m so proud to have witnessed your victory. We’re honored to have you here at the league.”
