(C) 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics
LIVIGNO, Italy — In a dramatic comeback that defied both physical pain and the odds, South Korean snowboarder Choi Ga-on made history on Thursday at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. By clinching gold in the women’s snowboard halfpipe, she became the first South Korean athlete ever to win an Olympic gold medal in a snow event.
The 17-year-old’s journey to the top of the podium was anything but smooth. During the finals held at the Livigno Snow Park, Choi appeared to be out of contention after two disastrous runs.
A Brutal Start
In her first run, Choi attempted a "Switch Frontside 1080"—a trick she had never landed in competition before. The ambition came at a cost; she suffered a heavy fall, landing hard on her knees and remaining motionless on the pipe for several moments. Limping and bruised, she scored a dismal 10.00 points, leaving her in 11th place among 12 finalists.
Her second run offered little relief, as she failed to land her signature "Switch Backside 900," a move she typically executes with ease.
Meanwhile, defending champion and snowboarding icon Chloe Kim (USA) was dominating the field. Kim executed a flawless "Cab Double Cork 1080" in her first run, earning a high score of 88.00 and holding a steady lead toward what many expected to be her third consecutive Olympic gold.
The "Miracle" Third Run
With only one chance left and visible bruises forming on her knees, Choi delivered a performance for the ages. In her third and final run, she flawlessly executed a complex sequence involving four different rotation directions: Switch Backside, Cab, Frontside, and Backside.
As she waited for her score, Choi was already in tears, overwhelmed by the emotion of the moment. When the scoreboard flashed 90.25, the stadium erupted. The tears of pain turned into tears of joy as she surged from the bottom of the rankings to the top of the leaderboard.
A Historic Victory
The gold was confirmed when Chloe Kim, attempting to reclaim the top spot in her final run, fell while trying to land a Cab Double Cork 1080.
Choi’s victory is a landmark achievement for South Korean winter sports, which has traditionally been dominated by ice events like short track and speed skating. By defeating her idol, Chloe Kim, in her Olympic debut, Choi has cemented her status as the new "Queen of the Halfpipe."
During the medal ceremony, a tearful Choi stood atop the podium as the South Korean national anthem played for the first time in Olympic snow sports history.
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