Choi Gaon (Sehwa Girls' High School), who gave Korea's national team its first gold medal, had people in tears everywhere over her injured fighting spirit.
Choi Gaon scored 90.25 points in the women's snowboard halfpipe final at the 2026 Milano-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics at Livigno Snowpark in Italy on the 13th (Korea time), surpassing Chloe Kim (United States) with 88.00 points to become the gold medalist. It was a dramatic drama.
Choi Gaon fell hard enough in the first run that her injury was a concern. Her board caught the lip of the slope and she fell, and she could not get up for a while. Medical staff even entered the course to check her condition. Having advanced to the final in sixth place among 24 with 82.25 points in the qualifying round on the 11th, Choi Gaon said she would show everything she had on the final stage. She said she had not shown even half of her ability in the qualifier.
That raised even greater expectations. But she seemed to have suffered a serious injury in the first run and it seemed she could not attempt the second and third runs. But she got up and attempted the second run.
Choi Gaon fell again. But she got up again and in the third run she succeeded in cleanly completing a variety of rotations such as a 900 and a 720 instead of the high-difficulty 1080. After Choi Gaon, no one exceeded 90 points.
Choi Gaon's final challenger, Chloe Kim, whom she revered as an "idol," fell during the third run, securing Choi Gaon's gold medal. The medal colors were decided. Chloe Kim won the silver medal, and Ono Mitsuki (Japan) took the bronze.
Choi Gaon's dramatic "injured fighting spirit" prevented Chloe Kim from winning a third consecutive Olympic title. Chloe Kim was someone Choi Gaon regarded as an "idol." Chloe Kim had performed cleanly in the qualifier and in both the first and second runs of the final, but she fell in the last run after Choi Gaon.
Japanese media Sports Hochi noted, "It's a miraculous comeback. Choi Gaon fell hard in the first run but did not give up and won the gold medal."
Choi Gaon said, "It was my dream. I'm really happy to have achieved my dream."
The outlet reported, "Reaction on social media to the miraculous victory has been intense. Responses continued, saying, '(I) cried with (Choi Gaon's) tears,' 'It's amazing to decide the gold medal at the end!,' 'I can't believe she won gold after falling like that,' and 'I cried without realizing it at the dramatic drama.'"
After completing the third run, Choi Gaon covered her face with both hands. After the scores were announced, she had to wipe away flowing tears. Not only that, her parents and coach, who went to support their daughter, also shed tears. And Chloe Kim, who did not achieve a three-peat but approached and congratulated Choi Gaon for achieving her dream, also showed tears.
With Choi Gaon's performance, Korea won its first Olympic gold in skiing and Korea's first gold medal at these Winter Games. Choi Gaon also became the youngest gold medalist in this winter Olympic event at 17 years and 3 months. The previous youngest record was 17 years and 10 months, set by Chloe Kim, this game's silver medalist and Choi Gaon's idol, at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.
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