Matt Graham has won a bronze medal as part of the ‘dad podium’ in Men’s Dual Moguls.
It is Australia’s fifth medal in four days at Milano Cortina 2026 and the third Australian Moguls medal.
Article courtesy olympics.com.au / Images Copyright Chris Hocking
In a day where there were a lot of crashes on course, Graham was consistent throughout the five rounds of racing, narrowly missing a spot in the Big Final after falling to Ikuma Horishima (Japan) in the semifinal 21-14. He defeated Japan’s Takuya Shimakawa in the bronze medal showdown 20-15 to collect his second Olympic medal, having won silver at PyeongChang 2018.
Horishima went on to take silver with moguls legend Mikael Kingsbury winning Canada’s first gold medal of the Games.
The trio have been competing against each other for years and were proud to share the ultimate ‘dad podium’, with all three eager to show their kids their medals in some of the most heartwarming scenes of the Games.
“At the end of the day, I knew what was at stake before that last run because Mikael 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 having a ‘dad podium’,” Graham said.
“I was really happy with the way I skied and I knew when I crossed the line I was happy with the run and knew it would be hard to beat. When I saw the score come up, I was very relieved, a little bit shocked and also very satisfied.”
“It was just great to bounce back from the other day. It was a little bittersweet finishing fifth [in singles] and knowing that I could have done more, but today, the sun is shining, the course is skiing really well, I was just really happy to be able to just repeat run after run.”
Moguls is Australia’s most successful Winter Olympic sport with medals at five of the last six Games, with an incredible tally of four gold medals, two silver and Graham’s bronze.
The 31-year-old said it was especially significant to stand on the Olympic podium with his family watching on.
“It was so special at the end when I was about to step on the podium and I could see [wife] Jess and [daughter] Ada, my mum, dad and brother, and that made me tear up a little bit and it was a very emotional moment.”
It was a great showing for Australia with Moguls gold medallist Cooper Woods (13th), Jackson Harvey (11th) and George Murphy (16th) joining Graham in the 1/8 final, meaning the Australians made up one quarter of the field.
Only Graham progressed into the quarterfinal and he continued to look strong all the way to the podium. He kept his form tight and clean as he showed some of the best turns in the field, particularly in his final run. Graham ripped the middle section, cleaned up his airs and the judges rewarded him with the bronze medal.
Winning his second Olympic medal exactly 20-years to the day since his mentor Dale Begg-Smith won gold in 2006, Graham attributed Australia’s Milano Cortina Moguls success to those that came before him, and the Team culture they’ve created.
“We have such a strong team and obviously the last few days have really shown how good we are – two gold and a bronze medal is pretty crazy in one small, little discipline of mogul skiing,” he said.
“I think it goes back to all the people of the past who started this sport in our country from the 90s.
“Then in the thousands, we had Dale Begg-Smith show us what's possible – winning the gold and a silver medal.
“And then, the likes of myself and Britt Cox in those early 2010s. Being able to get on World Cup podiums, and when I earned my silver in PyeongChang, I guess it sort of showed the likes of Jakara and Cooper that it is possible for an Australian-born to be really successful in this sport.
“And now, we've got such a good program behind us, and I’m just really proud of the whole team – from all the staff and all the athletes.”
While he couldn’t duplicate his gold medal performance from earlier in the week, Cooper Woods said he was thrilled to watch his teammate succeed.
“He’s the captain and the leader of our Team because he works the hardest and he deserves it more than anyone else,” Woods said.
“You know, if you’re not winning, you want your teammate to win.
“It’s been an incredible few days for our team.”
In a format where the skier only has to worry about the one opponent next to them – rather than the entire field – skiers were pulling out huge tricks and incredible speeds, resulting in a lot of crashes on the icy course.
“I was a little out of time the whole way. I got spat around in the course and chewed up and it almost spat me back out… I’m disappointed, but I still walk away with my head really high after the other day,” Woods said of his 1/8 final run.
Harvey defeated Goshin Fujiki (JPN) in his first dual 19-16, before Sweden’s Walter Wallberg ended his run in the round of 16 after a bumpy ride on the infamous blue course.
“I’m frustrated with the last one, only because I didn’t put down the run that I knew I could." Harvey said.
“I wanted to put down a run where I would showcase the technical skiing that I know I’m capable of, and I got a little caught up – that blue line is tough today.
“But it’s been a great week, I’m stoked to be in the top-16 and a lot to take away, so feeling happy.”
Olympic rookie Murphy had a fantastic opening dual, defeating Benjamin Cavet of France in the round of 32, which Murphy said was a highlight of his competition.
“I was happy with my first run, to take down Ben – he’s a real vet and top-five in the world – so that was huge,” he said.
“For my Games experience, I’ve just been enjoying it, sucking it in. It’s my first Games, so I can’t really expect too much, but I’ve really enjoyed it.
“To see Cooper and Jak win those medal, I mean, that’s history for Australia!”
It is Australia’s fifth medal in four days at Milano Cortina 2026 and the third Australian Moguls medal.
Article courtesy olympics.com.au / Images Copyright Chris Hocking
In a day where there were a lot of crashes on course, Graham was consistent throughout the five rounds of racing, narrowly missing a spot in the Big Final after falling to Ikuma Horishima (Japan) in the semifinal 21-14. He defeated Japan’s Takuya Shimakawa in the bronze medal showdown 20-15 to collect his second Olympic medal, having won silver at PyeongChang 2018.
Horishima went on to take silver with moguls legend Mikael Kingsbury winning Canada’s first gold medal of the Games.
The trio have been competing against each other for years and were proud to share the ultimate ‘dad podium’, with all three eager to show their kids their medals in some of the most heartwarming scenes of the Games.
“At the end of the day, I knew what was at stake before that last run because Mikael 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 having a ‘dad podium’,” Graham said.
“I was really happy with the way I skied and I knew when I crossed the line I was happy with the run and knew it would be hard to beat. When I saw the score come up, I was very relieved, a little bit shocked and also very satisfied.”
“It was just great to bounce back from the other day. It was a little bittersweet finishing fifth [in singles] and knowing that I could have done more, but today, the sun is shining, the course is skiing really well, I was just really happy to be able to just repeat run after run.”
Moguls is Australia’s most successful Winter Olympic sport with medals at five of the last six Games, with an incredible tally of four gold medals, two silver and Graham’s bronze.
The 31-year-old said it was especially significant to stand on the Olympic podium with his family watching on.
“It was so special at the end when I was about to step on the podium and I could see [wife] Jess and [daughter] Ada, my mum, dad and brother, and that made me tear up a little bit and it was a very emotional moment.”
It was a great showing for Australia with Moguls gold medallist Cooper Woods (13th), Jackson Harvey (11th) and George Murphy (16th) joining Graham in the 1/8 final, meaning the Australians made up one quarter of the field.
Only Graham progressed into the quarterfinal and he continued to look strong all the way to the podium. He kept his form tight and clean as he showed some of the best turns in the field, particularly in his final run. Graham ripped the middle section, cleaned up his airs and the judges rewarded him with the bronze medal.
Winning his second Olympic medal exactly 20-years to the day since his mentor Dale Begg-Smith won gold in 2006, Graham attributed Australia’s Milano Cortina Moguls success to those that came before him, and the Team culture they’ve created.
“We have such a strong team and obviously the last few days have really shown how good we are – two gold and a bronze medal is pretty crazy in one small, little discipline of mogul skiing,” he said.
“I think it goes back to all the people of the past who started this sport in our country from the 90s.
“Then in the thousands, we had Dale Begg-Smith show us what's possible – winning the gold and a silver medal.
“And then, the likes of myself and Britt Cox in those early 2010s. Being able to get on World Cup podiums, and when I earned my silver in PyeongChang, I guess it sort of showed the likes of Jakara and Cooper that it is possible for an Australian-born to be really successful in this sport.
“And now, we've got such a good program behind us, and I’m just really proud of the whole team – from all the staff and all the athletes.”
While he couldn’t duplicate his gold medal performance from earlier in the week, Cooper Woods said he was thrilled to watch his teammate succeed.
“He’s the captain and the leader of our Team because he works the hardest and he deserves it more than anyone else,” Woods said.
“You know, if you’re not winning, you want your teammate to win.
“It’s been an incredible few days for our team.”
In a format where the skier only has to worry about the one opponent next to them – rather than the entire field – skiers were pulling out huge tricks and incredible speeds, resulting in a lot of crashes on the icy course.
“I was a little out of time the whole way. I got spat around in the course and chewed up and it almost spat me back out… I’m disappointed, but I still walk away with my head really high after the other day,” Woods said of his 1/8 final run.
Harvey defeated Goshin Fujiki (JPN) in his first dual 19-16, before Sweden’s Walter Wallberg ended his run in the round of 16 after a bumpy ride on the infamous blue course.
“I’m frustrated with the last one, only because I didn’t put down the run that I knew I could." Harvey said.
“I wanted to put down a run where I would showcase the technical skiing that I know I’m capable of, and I got a little caught up – that blue line is tough today.
“But it’s been a great week, I’m stoked to be in the top-16 and a lot to take away, so feeling happy.”
Olympic rookie Murphy had a fantastic opening dual, defeating Benjamin Cavet of France in the round of 32, which Murphy said was a highlight of his competition.
“I was happy with my first run, to take down Ben – he’s a real vet and top-five in the world – so that was huge,” he said.
“For my Games experience, I’ve just been enjoying it, sucking it in. It’s my first Games, so I can’t really expect too much, but I’ve really enjoyed it.
“To see Cooper and Jak win those medal, I mean, that’s history for Australia!”
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