China's Olympic snowboarding champion Su Yiming is returning to World Cup competitions after taking a one-year break. According to personal coach Yasuhiro Sato, the Beijing Winter Olympics took a toll on the now 19-year-old snowboarder.

"I think he was in a burn-out syndrome, he was too tired after the Olympic Games," Sato told CGTN on Wednesday after a training session at Austria's Stubai glacier. "But now he's on fire!"

"I'm feeling fully ready," Su Yiming agrees. "I'm still trying to put up some new tricks and get ready for the World Cup season."

Hoping for consistency on the 1800 triple cork spin

Already consistent in landing a frontside 1600-degree triple cork spin, Su is now trying to master the 1800-degree version - to get as many World Cup points as possible, especially at the next World Cup event in Beijing.

"I just train every day. Basically, I am just the first person to ride the jumps until the jump closes. Always trying to be the best in the world."

For over 10 years, the world's best freestyle professionals have been meeting every autumn at Austria's Prime Park Sessions in Stubai to prepare for the upcoming World Cup season. The downhill slope with three large kickers is perfect for Su Yiming to practice his specialties - slope style and big air. Also competing in halfpipe events is still out of the question, Su told CGTN.

Next stop: World Cup in Beijing

Su Yiming was born in China's Northeastern Jilin province, known for its numerous ski resorts. 

"My mom and my dad all love snowboarding. I remember when I was 4 and I tried snowboarding for the first time."

Besides snowboarding, Su also pursued acting. At age 10 he played a minor role in the action movie 'The Taking of Tiger Mountain'. But despite its success at the box office, Su decided to give up acting and solely focus on snowboarding. After turning 17, he set the world record for mastering a backslide 1980-degree Indy Crail jump. Two years later he reached gold at the Beijing Olympic games.

"Olympic gold was definitely one of the happiest happenings in my life. I'm the happiest man at the moment," said Su.

Happy and eager to please his home crowd once again at the upcoming World Cup event in the Chinese capital, taking place on December 2.

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Cover image: Fans and fellow snowboarders watched Su Yiming's World Cup preparations in Stubai, Austria. /Prime Park Sessions