Ayumu Hirano grabs Japan's first Olympic snowboarding gold

American Shaun White says 'thankful' for final run

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Japan's Ayumu Hirano dazzles at the men's snowboard halfpipe final. © Reuters

ZHANGJIAKOU, China (Reuters) -- Japan's Ayumu Hirano soared to gold at the men's snowboard halfpipe final on Friday at the Beijing Games, while a tearful Shaun White said he was thankful for his final run despite just missing out on the podium in his fifth and last Olympics.

Hirano, who won silver at the Pyeongchang 2018 and Sochi Games 2014, went into his third and final run in second place, under pressure to top Australian Scotty James who threw down a double cork 1440 with a tail grab on his second run.

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