Matt Graham Wins Bronze, Australia's 5th Medal at Olympics

At 31 years old, Matt Graham just proved that patience and persistence pay off in the most spectacular way.

The Australian moguls skier captured bronze in the men's dual moguls event in Livigno, Italy, adding to his 2018 silver medal and cementing his legacy as one of the sport's greats. Graham secured his podium spot by defeating Japan's Takuya Shimakawa 20 to 15 in the small final.

The medal marks Australia's fifth at these Milano Cortina Games, a new national record that's rewriting expectations for winter sports Down Under. Graham joins Olympic champions Cooper Woods and Jakara Anthony, who won the women's dual moguls just one day earlier, giving Australia three moguls medallists at a single Games.

Woods, the 25-year-old individual champion, couldn't contain his joy for his teammate despite his own second-round exit. "He's captain of our team, he's leader because he works the hardest and he deserves it more than anyone else," Woods said, his admiration clear.

Canadian legend Mikael Kingsbury took gold in the event, bouncing back from his individual silver with a dominant performance in the big final against Japan's Ikuma Horishima. The dual moguls format, added to the Olympic program for the first time in Italy, proved to be a thrilling addition that rewarded both technical skill and head-to-head competitive fire.

The Ripple Effect

Australia's moguls success tells a bigger story about sustained investment in winter sports programs. A decade ago, winning five medals at a Winter Olympics would have seemed impossible for a nation better known for its beaches than its slopes.

Graham's journey from silver in 2018 to bronze in 2025 shows how experienced athletes can lift entire teams. His work ethic and leadership created a culture where Woods and Anthony could thrive, and where debutants Jackson Harvey and George Murphy gained invaluable Olympic experience.

The Australian moguls team has become a model for how smaller winter sports nations can compete with traditional powerhouses. Their success is already inspiring a new generation of young Australians to try freestyle skiing, with ski resorts reporting increased interest in moguls programs.

This medal haul proves that with the right support, dedication, and team culture, anything is possible on the world's biggest sporting stage.