Australia's Scotty James has won a bronze medal in the men's halfpipe at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang after a dramatic contest with Japan's Ayumu Hirano and American Shaun White.

James's best run of 92.00 came in the opening round. He was going well in his final run but fell to finish behind in third position.

White — the most famous snowboarder in the world, known as the Flying Tomato — won the gold with a 97.75 score in the final run of the competition to win his third Olympic title.

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Hirano, the 2018 X-Games superpipe champion, missed on his first run, but his second outing was huge. He brought some big air, and landed a 1440 (four x 360 degree rotations) and back-to-back 1260s to score 95.25.

James, who carried the flag for Australia in last Friday's opening ceremony, told Channel Seven: "I work so hard, and it is at times like these, obviously we are still focused, but you have to enjoy these experiences".

"That is why we work hard ... to enjoy these experiences as much is possible. I did that today. It was cool."

The young man from Warrandyte had nothing but praise for his two rivals.

"Shaun is an amazing athlete and he has achieved a lot of great things. He achieved another awesome feat in his career today," he said.

"Hats off to Hirano as well. He is one of the most flawless snowboarders I know. It is cool to watch him."

Scotty James (R) stands on the podium alongside fellow medallists Shaun White (C) and Ayumu Hirano. ( AP: Gregory Bull )

James had laid down an excellent run that included his signature move, the switch backside 1260 with double cork, a trick with three-and-a-half rotations and a blind entry and landing.

White responded straightaway, however, grabbing first place with a run of 94.25, including a 1440 (four x 360 degree rotations), a Double McTwist and ending with a 1260 (3.5 rotations).



White put in back-to-back 1440s in his next run, but he fell attempting the Double McTwist.

Going into the final round, James was in bronze medal position, White in silver and Hirano in bronze.

Several competitors came close to dislodging James from the podium, including American Ben Ferguson with a 90.75 and Swiss snowboarder Patrick Burgener (89.75).

But with three people left, James was guaranteed a medal.

Japan's Ayumu Hirano in mid-air during a run in Pyeongchang. ( Reuters: Dylan Martinez )

Hirano could not complete his final run, leaving his destiny in the hands of James and White.

The Australian's final run began with back-to-back 1260s, but after a 1080, James could not hold his fourth hit of the run and fell.

White overcome with emotion after clinching third gold

This left the final say with White, and the American delivered — with two 1440s, a skyhook, a Double McTwist and ending with a 1260.

White believed he had done enough, and when his score was confirmed, he broke down in tears.

Shaun White shows his delight during his winning performance in the men's snowboard halfpipe final. ( AP: Gregory Bull )

The American had won in Turin and Vancouver before missing the medals in Sochi.

James becomes the second Australian to win a medal in Pyeongchang, after Matt Graham took silver in the men's moguls.

The other Australian in the final, Kent Callister — who came ninth in Sochi — slipped up on his opening run, but recovered to finish with 62.00 for 10th placing.

Australia's Kent Callister crashes during his open run in the men's final. ( AP: Gregory Bull )

Meanwhile, the children from James' former school in Melbourne's east, Tintern Grammar, got together to watch his Olympic performance.

One of his former teachers, Adam Kenny, said James gave a lot back to Tintern Grammar and its students.

"He often comes back to school and last year one of our students was over in Aspen and went up and said g'day to him and Scotty gave him one of his training jackets just as a gesture of goodwill," he said.

"It just goes to show what a lovely young fellow he is ... they've all met him and he's signed everything for them.

"He's inspired them. He's given a whole lot to the school and we just hope we can give a fair bit back to him."