Choi Ga-on (18, Sehwa Girls' High School), the face of Korean snowboarding, will receive medical sponsorship including a team doctor agreement and dedicated trainer support.
All That Sports, Choi's management company, said Tuesday that Choi held a medical sponsorship ceremony with Director Na Young-moo at Sol Hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.
Choi is the first athlete in Winter Olympic snow sports to be assigned a dedicated trainer along with a team doctor.
Sol Hospital previously served as the dedicated medical team for "figure skating queen" Kim Yu-na, managing her performance and condition.
Choi, who captured the gold medal in the women's snowboard halfpipe at the Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics this past February, formed a connection with Sol Hospital while receiving treatment for an injury suffered during competition.
At the time, Na diagnosed fractures in three metacarpal bones and assisted Choi's treatment and rehabilitation, which led to the development of the medical sponsorship.
The medical sponsorship for Choi will operate on a two-track basis. Domestically, Na will provide diagnosis, rehabilitation programs, and training to maintain optimal conditioning.
Considering the unique nature of a sport with frequent overseas schedules, a dedicated trainer will be dispatched during off-site training and the snowboarding season to communicate with Na and maintain continuity in the athlete's physical management.
"I was deeply impressed by Choi Ga-on, who showed an indomitable spirit of never giving up until the end at the Olympics," Na said. "I will mobilize all of Sol Hospital's sports rehabilitation know-how accumulated over more than 20 years to support her without reservation."
"Through this medical sponsorship, I will focus on strengthening my physical fitness and managing my condition, and I will continue to show good performances going forward," Choi said.
