Consistency is the name of the game in moguls

The skies were clear and the competition fierce as freestyle skiing at the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games kicked off on Tuesday, 14 January with the men’s and women’s moguls events.

According to Finland’s Akseli Ahvenainen, if there’s one lesson to take away, it’s that “consistency is key.” At just 22 years old, Ahvenainen proved why he’s a name to watch. Entering the competition as a standout talent, his performance did not disappoint. Known for his composure and precision, he won all three men’s sessions on the day.

His aggressive yet controlled opening run set the tone for the ones to follow. Ahvenainen earned a comfortable qualifying lead and propelled him to victory in the final with a score of 81.68 — more than three points ahead of the nearest competitor.

Ahvenainen’s achievements extend well beyond FISU competitions, with accolades including two World Junior Championships medals, seven top-30 finishes in World Cup events, and participation in two World Championships at the senior level.

Japan and Canada round out the men’s podium

Shugo Kanno, a 24-year-old from Japan, delivered a stellar performance, solidifying his position as a strong competitor and earning silver with a score of 78.17. Meanwhile, Canada’s Quinn Dawson, 20, became the surprise of the day, securing bronze in his first competition since coming out of retirement. Only 0.82 point separated the two.

Reflecting on his journey, Quinn Dawson said, “I didn’t want to put any pressure on myself. It was really just about having fun and that paid off.”

Despite limited preparation—his first day skiing this winter was in December, and he trained for just four days in January—Dawson showcased natural talent. “Once I made the super final, I knew I had a chance, especially knowing the athlete before me made a mistake. The goal was to stay composed and close it out.”

Anastassiya Gordoko extends golden streak

With her win in the women’s competition, 19-year-old Anastassiya Gordoko of Kazakhstan reaffirmed her dominance in the discipline, boasting a World Championships medal, three World Junior Championships titles, and six World Junior Championships podium.

Coming off a successful streak in January, where she won Women’s Dual Moguls and finished second in Women’s Moguls at junior worlds, Gordoko carried that momentum in Torino to clinch 79.79 points. Japan’s Haruka Nakao took silver with 76.29, followed by Hanna Weese of Germany (75.04).

The next freestyle medals at Torino 2025 will be handed out on Wednesday, 15 January when student-athletes compete in men’s and women’s dual moguls.

The take place from 13-23 January. Watch all the competitions live on . Click on the link to find the full schedule.

Written by Mackenzie Barwell, FISU Young Reporter, Canada

The Young Reporters Programme exemplifies FISU’s commitment to more than sports competitions. At every FISU World University Games, a group of talented aspiring sports journalists are chosen to cover the competition.

We warmly thank FISU Official Partner Qiaodan Ltd. which provides remarkable uniforms to FISU Family and International Technical Officials since 2015. Qiaodan is a valuable partner for FISU as it continued to provide its support during the postponement of events due to the global pandemic, and recently extended the relationship with FISU up to and including 2025.