In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, Australia’s Matt Graham secured a bronze medal in the dual moguls event at Livigno, leaving open the possibility of competing in a fifth Olympic Games. The 31-year-old athlete from New South Wales faced a challenging draw, skiing the more difficult blue side in four out of his five runs, but managed to outshine Japan’s Takuya Shimakawa in the bronze medal match with a score of 20-15.
Graham’s journey to the podium was halted in the semi-finals by Japan’s Ikuma Horishima, yet his comeback in the bronze medal round underscored his determination and prowess on the moguls course. As a flag bearer for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026, Graham had previously hinted at retirement post-season. However, the recent addition of a bronze medal to his 2018 Pyeongchang silver has sparked speculation about a potential return at the age of 35, with aspirations of completing his Olympic medal set in the French Alps.
Veterans Shine on the “Dad Podium”
The Livigno event was notable not only for Graham’s performance but also for the unique composition of the podium. All three medallists, including Canadian gold medallist Mikael Kingsbury and Japan’s Ikuma Horishima, are fathers, leading to the affectionate term “dad podium.” Graham expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “At the end of the day, I knew what was at stake that last run because Mik and Ikuma had already locked in their podium spots and, me being the third dad, I needed to execute to make sure we could fulfil that dream of a dad podium.”
Kingsbury, often dubbed “the king of moguls,” has dominated the sport for over a decade. Despite a narrow loss to Australia’s Cooper Woods in the single moguls due to a tiebreaker based on turn scores, Kingsbury’s collection of medals, including a gold and a silver from Livigno, solidifies his legacy as he contemplates retirement.
Contemplating the Future
Graham’s decision on whether to continue competing beyond the current World Cup season remains uncertain. He has drawn inspiration from the longevity of athletes like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Kelly Slater, who have remained at the top of their respective sports well into their thirties and forties. However, financial considerations also play a role in his decision-making process. “If money wasn’t a thing, maybe I’d keep going,” Graham remarked in an interview with Nine.
For now, Graham is committed to finishing the World Cup season, where he currently stands second in the rankings. He plans to compete in upcoming events in Japan and Azerbaijan, with the goal of securing a World Cup title. “I’m going on for the rest of the World Cup tour but I haven’t decided beyond that really,” he said. “Just focusing on this being the main event and then, I’m in second on the World Cup standings, so the plan will be to go to Japan and Azerbaijan and hopefully the goal now will be to try to win a World Cup title.”
Legacy and Mentorship
If this is indeed Graham’s final Olympic appearance, his bronze medal will serve as a fitting conclusion to a distinguished career, coming exactly 20 years after Dale Begg-Smith won Australia’s first-ever moguls Olympic gold in Turin. Begg-Smith has been a mentor to Graham, offering guidance throughout the Games.
Graham now finds himself in a similar mentoring role for younger athletes like Cooper Woods, who recently claimed gold in the single moguls. Woods, however, faced challenges in the dual moguls, exiting in the round of 16 after a misstep in his heat against American Charlie Mickel. Despite the setback, Woods remains optimistic about his future in the sport.
As Graham contemplates his next steps, the impact of his career and his role as a mentor will undoubtedly influence the next generation of Australian moguls skiers. Whether he chooses to pursue another Olympic bid or focus on family and mentorship, his legacy in the sport is firmly established.
