Seventeen-year-old South Korean snowboarder Choi Ga-on claimed gold in the women’s halfpipe at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, thwarting American star Chloe Kim’s bid for a third straight title.
Event Highlights
Choi overcame an early fall to deliver stunning runs, scoring 95.75 on her final attempt for victory ahead of Australia’s Maddie Mastro (silver) and Japan’s Miyabi Tanno (bronze).
Chloe Kim, 25, settled for fourth after a solid but insufficient performance, missing out on history despite her prior golds in 2018 and 2022.
Competitor Profiles
Choi Ga-on, a rising prodigy, marked South Korea’s first gold in the event with her technical flair and resilience under pressure.
Kim, seeking to join an elite trio of multi-Olympic halfpipe champions, cited challenging conditions but praised the young winner’s talent.
Broader Impact
The result highlights Asia’s growing dominance in snowboarding halfpipe, with Choi’s win boosting South Korean morale at the Games.
Fans celebrated the upset, fueling discussions on the next generation challenging legends like Kim.
