‘Korea’s First Medal’ 37-Year-Old Kim Sang-kyum Says 'I Will Challenge for the Olympics Two More Times... Next Goal is Gold'
Kim Sang-kyum, the first South Korean athlete to win a medal in the 2026 Winter Olympics, expresses his determination to aim for gold and compete in two more Olympics.
Kim Sang-kyum, a 37-year-old snowboarder representing South Korea, returned to Korea after winning a silver medal at the Winter Olympics held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. This achievement marked the first medal for the South Korean team in this competition and the 400th overall medal for South Korea in Olympic history, spanning both summer and winter events. Sang-kyum shared his aspirations of winning a gold medal next, emphasizing that despite being older, he feels age is not a barrier to his Olympic ambitions.
In an interview at Incheon International Airport, Kim conveyed his emotional response to coming home with a medal, stating that he anticipated tears upon reuniting with family but felt instead a mix of joy and nostalgia. The significant turnout of fans at the airport surprised him, but he expressed his intent to savor the moment. He also commented on the possibility of his event being excluded from future Olympics and noted that athletes are actively campaigning to keep snowboarding in the Olympic lineup, suggesting that the event is engaging and spectator-friendly.
Despite facing visa issues that required him to return to Korea immediately after his event, Kim said he was energized by adrenaline and was in a good mood upon arrival. Reflecting on his journey over the past four years since the Beijing Winter Olympics, he recounted the emotional experience of winning the medal and the joy of seeing his family, emphasizing that he had tried to avoid tears in the past but found himself feeling overwhelmed with emotion this time around.