Choi Ga-on, at just 17 years old and the youngest member of South Korea's Olympic team, made a significant mark by qualifying for the finals of the Halfpipe event at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, scoring 82.25 in the preliminary rounds. Despite a stumble in her second attempt, Choi’s impressive performance in the first round positioned her in 6th place, increasing South Korea's hopes for another medal in snowboarding. The top three spots were dominated by seasoned competitors, with Chloe Kim of the U.S. scoring 90.25, aiming for her third consecutive Olympic gold.

Choi demonstrated technical skill and poise beyond her years on the Olympic stage, performing elements such as switch back seven and backside nine, showcasing not just her abilities but her potential. Despite facing a mistake during her final jump, she maintained an overall strong performance, which reflects her readiness to face elite competition. Having already made a name for herself internationally, including a gold medal at the 2023 Snowboard World Cup, her confidence surged going into the finals.

In her post-competition interview, Choi expressed a mix of excitement and nerves about competing in her first Olympics but felt she performed well. However, with a score of 82.25, she noted that she still has more to bring to the competition, especially as she aims to close the gap with her idol, Chloe Kim, whom she trails by 8 points. The anticipation for her performance in the finals builds as she hopes to realize her dream of standing atop the podium.