Choi Gaon, who won gold in the women’s snowboard halfpipe at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, bites her medal during an official Korean Sport & Olympic Committee news conference at Korea House in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 14 (local time). [Photo=Yonhap]
Choi Gaon of Sehwa High School, who overcame injury pain and fear of failure to pull off a comeback victory, said the competitive drive she developed while training with older teammates helped her push through.
Choi, who delivered South Korea’s first gold medal of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics by winning the women’s snowboard halfpipe, spoke about the final and her reaction at a news conference Friday at Korea House in Milan.
In Thursday’s final at Livigno Snow Park in Italy, Choi scored 90.25 to beat Chloe Kim of the United States, who had 88.00. After falling in her first two runs, she raised her score on the third to seal the win.
The victory made Choi the first South Korean skier to win Olympic gold. She also broke the event’s youngest Olympic gold medal record set by Kim at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
“When I get back to Korea, I’m going to have a pajama party with my friends,” Choi said. She added a message for younger athletes who may dream of snowboarding: “The most important thing is to ride and enjoy it.”
Recalling her injury, Choi said being taken away on a stretcher would have meant withdrawing. “I asked for a little time, then tried to move my foot, starting by putting strength into my toes,” she said. “Thankfully, I was able to compete again.”
Asked about her next goals, she said she did not show her best performance at these Olympics. “Rather than a far-off goal, I’ll work to become a better athlete than I am right now,” she said.
Choi is the third of four siblings and first tried snowboarding with her family as a child. In 2017, at age 9, she drew attention after appearing on a TV program as part of a “snowboard family.” She later pursued the sport seriously and has been a leading member of the national team since the 2023-2024 season.
Choi, who delivered South Korea’s first gold medal of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics by winning the women’s snowboard halfpipe, spoke about the final and her reaction at a news conference Friday at Korea House in Milan.
In Thursday’s final at Livigno Snow Park in Italy, Choi scored 90.25 to beat Chloe Kim of the United States, who had 88.00. After falling in her first two runs, she raised her score on the third to seal the win.
The victory made Choi the first South Korean skier to win Olympic gold. She also broke the event’s youngest Olympic gold medal record set by Kim at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
“When I get back to Korea, I’m going to have a pajama party with my friends,” Choi said. She added a message for younger athletes who may dream of snowboarding: “The most important thing is to ride and enjoy it.”
Recalling her injury, Choi said being taken away on a stretcher would have meant withdrawing. “I asked for a little time, then tried to move my foot, starting by putting strength into my toes,” she said. “Thankfully, I was able to compete again.”
Asked about her next goals, she said she did not show her best performance at these Olympics. “Rather than a far-off goal, I’ll work to become a better athlete than I am right now,” she said.
Choi is the third of four siblings and first tried snowboarding with her family as a child. In 2017, at age 9, she drew attention after appearing on a TV program as part of a “snowboard family.” She later pursued the sport seriously and has been a leading member of the national team since the 2023-2024 season.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.