- Scotty James is favoured to win his first Olympic gold medal
Aussie halfpipe snowboarder Scotty James has revealed how a pair of boxing gloves changed the course of his sporting career.
The 31-year-old stumbled across the fighting equipment when at a low point back in 2017.
Following a competitive event, James returned to his room and spotted the pair of bright red gloves.
The Everlast mitts were then used as a source of motivation for James, who was not fulfilling his talent.
‘I’m going to wear these this week and be like, I’m coming out to fight,’ James said in a Netflix documentary.
James was filthy with himself after a poor showing at the US Open in 2016, and destroyed his helmet as frustration set in.
Scotty James (pictured, competing at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics) has revealed how a pair of red boxing gloves changed his career
The 31-year-old (pictured) is one of Australia’s finest ever Winter Olympians
James (pictured) is the favourite to claim his first Olympic gold medal in Italy
After his wild outburst, James was determined to flip the script.
It’s the reason he later emerged in bright-red gloves, ready to fight like a boxer when called to compete at the 2017 X Games.
The gloves have since become part of James’ identity.
In Italy’s north, at the ongoing Winter Games, the 31-year-old has already been spotted wearing the red gloves.
And despite coming into the halfpipe event at Milano Cortina without ever claiming an Olympic gold, James is the man to beat.
He smashed the qualification round, scoring a 94.00 in his opening run in the pipe.
James did so after nailing a highly-challenging manoeuvre – the switch backside double cork 1440.
The Aussie snowboarder was at a career crossroads in late 2017 as complacency set in
James (pictured) has since carved out an incredible career with a long list of achievements
The Aussie (pictured) could become the seventh Australian to become a Winter Olympic champion with a gold medal in Milano-Cortina
‘I was really happy. I wanted to come out and put my best foot forward to try and qualify first, as I feel like being in that position in the finals is a really good place to be,’ James said.
Fellow Aussie Valentino Guseli has also qualified for the 12-man final.
The news wasn’t as good for 2022 Olympic champion Jakara Anthony, who was unable to defend her title in the women’s moguls.
Australia is still yet to win a gold medal at the Games.
