Why Scotty James wears boxing gloves while snowboarding
Australian snowboarder Scotty James has an extremely interesting part of his outfit that many will notice throughout the Olympics.
When James grabs his board in PyeongChang, he will do so with red gloves that resemble boxing gloves. The boxing gloves have become James’ signature, and there’s a cool story behind them.
James took a pair of boxing gloves with him when he went to compete in the 2017 Winter X Games, saying that they helped him achieve the right fighting mindset. He won the gold medal in the men’s Super Pipe event, and the gloves have become his thing ever since.
Fighting words pre-Games.
Boxing Kangaroo gloves on.
Opening score of 89.Scotty James means business.#PyeongChang2018 pic.twitter.com/nvPyjUX9s3
— bet365_aus (@bet365_aus) February 13, 2018
James was not permitted to wear actual boxing gloves during the Olympics. So, according to The Australian, he had a pair custom made that are a combination of a snow glove and boxing glove. They have “Scotty James Australia” written around the wrists.
The gloves help to serve as a reminder of what James is capable of and to help him get locked in.
“Just feels good. It’s one of those last-second things, where you’re strapping in and look at your hands and you’re like, ‘I’m Scotty James and I’m here to play,’” James said told The Washington Post. “That’s what I think of when I look at my gloves.”
In addition to his gold medal during last year’s X Games, James also took home the gold in the Halfpipe event at the 2017 Ski and Snowboarding World Championships. In PyeongChang, James will be looking for glory in the Men’s Halfpipe. He will be competing against Shaun White in the event and has already expressed his feelings on judges giving favoritism to his rival.
