Ikuma Horishima Japanese Freestyler Date of Birth: 11.12.1997 Country: Japan

1. Ikkuma Horishima: Legendary Japanese Mogul Skier
2. Breakthrough in NorAm Cup and World Cup Debut
3. Winter Olympics Missed, Youth World Championships Highlights
4. Double Silver at Nationals and Podium Success
5. Historic World Championships Triumph

Ikkuma Horishima: Legendary Japanese Mogul Skier

Ikkuma Horishima, a renowned Japanese mogul skier, made his international debut in 2012 at the NorAm Cup in Madarao, Japan. Despite an unsuccessful run, he remained determined and clinched a respectable 55th place in the parallel mogul event at the Japanese Championships later that year.

Breakthrough in NorAm Cup and World Cup Debut

Horishima spent the 2012/13 season primarily competing in the NorAm Cup. He broke into the top five in parallel moguls at an event in Apex, Canada, earning him a spot on the Japanese team for the home World Cup stage in Inawashiro. His first World Cup appearances proved challenging as he failed to finish both the single and parallel mogul races. However, he rebounded to become the Japanese vice-champion in parallel moguls and won a bronze medal in single moguls at the Australia/New Zealand Open Championships.

Winter Olympics Missed, Youth World Championships Highlights

The 2013/14 Olympic season saw Horishima participate primarily in World Cup events, achieving a best finish of 13th in moguls at the Voss stop in Norway. While he narrowly missed qualifying for the Sochi Olympics, he had a strong showing at the World Junior Championships in Chiesa in Valmalenco, Italy, finishing seventh in parallel moguls and 13th in single mogul.

Double Silver at Nationals and Podium Success

In 2015, Horishima claimed two silver medals at the Japanese National Championships. Later that year, he achieved his first World Cup podium by securing third place in parallel moguls at the Ruka, Finland, stop.

Historic World Championships Triumph

Horishima's World Championship debut in 2017 at Sierra Nevada, Spain, proved to be unforgettable. He stunned the field by winning the qualification round in single moguls and went on to claim the gold medal in the main event, capitalizing on a crucial error by the reigning Olympic champion, Mikaël Kingsbury of Canada. Horishima's victory marked the first gold medal by a Japanese mogul skier at the World Championships.

The following day, Horishima continued his historic run in parallel moguls. After reaching the final, he faced Bradley Wilson of the United States. A fall by Horishima and subsequently by Wilson left Horishima with just enough time to cross the finish line ahead of his rival, securing his second gold medal. Horishima became the first male mogul skier in history to win gold medals in both single and parallel moguls at a single World Championship.