Nakashima bags Japan's 1st gold at Winter Asian Games

Nakashima bags Japan's 1st gold at Winter Asian Games

CHANGCHUN, China - Shiho Nakashima (R) beats compatriot Soko Yamaoka (L) in the women's snowboard halfpipe final to give Japan its first gold medal of the Winter Asian Games in China on Jan. 29. Nakashima shows off the gold medal and Yamaoka the silver medal.

Nakashima wins Kissmark Cup women's halfpipe event

Nakashima wins Kissmark Cup women's halfpipe event

SAPPORO, Japan - Turin Olympian Shiho Nakashima is in action during the women's halfpipe event at the Kissmark Cup snowboarding competition at the Makomanai ski course in Sapporo on Jan. 6. Nakashima, who finished ninth at the Turin Olympics in 2006, scored 33.7 points on her first run to win the title.

Pesko win at World Cup halfpipe

Pesko win at World Cup halfpipe

FURANO, Japan - Manuela Laura Pesko of Switzerland (C) wins the women's halfpipe title at the World Cup Furano meet on March 18. Japan's Soko Yamaoka (L) finished runner-up and fellow Japanese Shiho Nakashima was (R) third.

Nakashima leads Japanese trio into halfpipe final

Nakashima leads Japanese trio into halfpipe final

BARDONECCHIA, Italy - Shiho Nakashima smiles after qualifying for the women's halfpipe final by finishing fifth in the first run at the Turin Winter Olympics on Feb. 13. Nakashima advanced to the final with compatriots veteran Soko Yamaoka and Chikako Fushimi.

Japan's Kokubo, Nakashima win in World Cup halfpipe

Japan's Kokubo, Nakashima win in World Cup halfpipe

WHISTLER, Canada - Shiho Nakashima of Japan flies through the air during the Snowboard World Cup women's halfpipe competition in Whistler, Canada, on Dec. 10. Nakashima claimed her first career victory with 40.7 points.

Japan's Kokubo, Nakashima win in World Cup halfpipe

Japan's Kokubo, Nakashima win in World Cup halfpipe

WHISTLER, Canada - Shiho Nakashima of Japan flies through the air during the Snowboard World Cup women's halfpipe competition in Whistler, Canada, on Dec. 10. Nakashima claimed her first career victory with 40.7 points. (Kyodo)

Pesko win at World Cup halfpipe

Pesko win at World Cup halfpipe

FURANO, Japan - Manuela Laura Pesko of Switzerland (C) wins the women's halfpipe title at the World Cup Furano meet on March 18. Japan's Soko Yamaoka (L) finished runner-up and fellow Japanese Shiho Nakashima was (R) third. (Kyodo)

Nakashima wins Kissmark Cup women's halfpipe event

Nakashima wins Kissmark Cup women's halfpipe event

SAPPORO, Japan - Turin Olympian Shiho Nakashima is in action during the women's halfpipe event at the Kissmark Cup snowboarding competition at the Makomanai ski course in Sapporo on Jan. 6. Nakashima, who finished ninth at the Turin Olympics in 2006, scored 33.7 points on her first run to win the title. (Kyodo)

Nakashima bags Japan's 1st gold at Winter Asian Games

Nakashima bags Japan's 1st gold at Winter Asian Games

CHANGCHUN, China - Shiho Nakashima (R) beats compatriot Soko Yamaoka (L) in the women's snowboard halfpipe final to give Japan its first gold medal of the Winter Asian Games in China on Jan. 29. Nakashima shows off the gold medal and Yamaoka the silver medal. (Kyodo)

Nakashima leads Japanese trio into halfpipe final

Nakashima leads Japanese trio into halfpipe final

BARDONECCHIA, Italy - Shiho Nakashima smiles after qualifying for the women's halfpipe final by finishing fifth in the first run at the Turin Winter Olympics on Feb. 13. Nakashima advanced to the final with compatriots veteran Soko Yamaoka and Chikako Fushimi. (Kyodo)