Choi Ga-on Wins Korea's First Olympic Gold in Snow Sports

Korea claimed its first-ever Olympic gold medal in snow sports at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The champion is Choi Ga-on, born in 2008 and a student at Sehwa Girls' High School. Despite a hard fall during her second jump in the first run of the women's snowboard halfpipe final, she ultimately stood atop the podium with tears streaming down her face.

Choi scored 90.25 points at the Livigno Snow Park in Italy on February 12 (local time), defeating Chloe Kim of the United States, who scored 88.00 points.

With this victory, Choi secured both Korea's first gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and the country's first-ever Winter Olympic gold in skiing and snowboard events.

At 17 years and 3 months old, Choi also set the record as the youngest gold medalist in this event in Winter Olympic history.

Choi suffered a significant fall during her second jump in the first run, casting doubt on whether she could continue competing in the second and third runs.

Her board caught on the edge of the slope while landing, and she lay motionless for an extended period. Medical staff entered the course to examine her condition, indicating the severity of the situation.

Concerns about her physical state intensified when "DNS" (Did Not Start) briefly appeared on the scoreboard before the second run. Choi did compete in the second run but fell again mid-routine.

While Choi's condition remained uncertain, Chloe Kim, seeking her third consecutive Olympic title, posted 88.00 points in the first run to take the lead, raising expectations for an unprecedented three-peat in Olympic snowboard history.

Despite her injuries, Choi entered the third run. Instead of attempting rotations exceeding 1080 degrees, she executed 900-degree and 720-degree spins and completed her run.

A stunning reversal followed. Choi scored 90.25 points to complete a dramatic comeback, pushing Chloe Kim to second place and securing the gold medal.

Mitsuki Ono of Japan took bronze with 85.00 points.

Choi's gold medal marks Korea's best-ever performance in snow sports at a single Olympics. Combined with Kim Sang-kyum's silver in men's snowboard alpine and Yoo Seung-eun's bronze in women's snowboard big air, Choi's "tearful gold" capped Korea's greatest Olympic snow sports achievement.