Shaun White wins men's halfpipe to capture third career Olympic gold

American Shaun White soared to his third career Olympic snowboarding gold medal Wednesday, overtaking Ayumu Hirano of Japan in his final run to win the men's halfpipe final at Phoenix Snow Park in the Pyeongchang Olympics.

White, who trailed Hirano through two runs, turned in a gold-medal-winning score of 97.75.

Hirano, the Sochi silver medalist who qualified third Tuesday, took second at 95.25.

Australia's Scotty James, who qualified second, won the bronze medal.

White, 31, entered Wednesday's 12-man final as the top qualifier after scoring a near-perfect 98.50 Tuesday. He also won halfpipe gold in Turin (2006) and Vancouver (2010).

The gold medal is the 100th overall gold for the United States in the Winter Olympics, and White is the first American male to win gold at three separate Winter Games.