COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colorado (Kyodo) -- Olympic champion Ayumu Hirano claimed men's halfpipe gold and his 15-year-old compatriot Sara Shimizu won the women's title Friday as Japanese snowboarders took five of the six podium spots at the World Cup round in Colorado's Copper Mountain.

Hirano, the 2022 Beijing Olympic gold medalist, saved his best for last, scoring 97.00 points on his third and final run to clinch his seventh World Cup crown ahead of Yuto Totsuka on 94.75 and Ruka Hirano on 92.75 in a men's podium sweep for Japan.

Totsuka, winner of the halfpipe season opener in China, looked set for back-to-back victories before the 26-year-old Hirano soared to the top of the standings with his first clean top-to-bottom run of the day.

Having fallen on his first two runs, the three-time Olympic medalist got on a roll by nailing his signature triple cork 1440 to start his last run.

"It was a close call, but I managed to pull it off at the end," said the Japanese star, who battled a broken rib, along with a back injury sustained in training before the competition.

"I think I was able to give my best in this condition."

Competing in just her second World Cup event, Shimizu secured her maiden victory by scoring an impressive 90.50 on her opening run. China's Cai Xuetong took second place on 88.50 points and Japan's Mitsuki Ono rounded out the podium in third on 88.00.

"I was hoping to make the podium so I'm happy with the result," Shimizu said. "It was a fun atmosphere and I was able to talk to athletes from other countries."