Feb 12 • 09:23 UTC 🇰🇷 Korea Hankyoreh (KR)

Those without fear, deceit, or surrender... There’s courage to flip the game with snowboarding

A miraculous generational shift is occurring in South Korea's snowboarding scene, led by young talents preparing to make history at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

A remarkable transformation is taking place in South Korea's snowboarding landscape, with a new generation of riders emerging who refuse to be daunted by challenges. These young athletes, known as the 'Gen Z Avengers', are paving the way for a new era in sports often dominated by traditions. Athletes Yoon Seung-eun, Choi Ga-on, and Lee Chae-woon, all born in the 2000s, exemplify this bold approach, combining calculated risk with technical prowess to execute high-stakes maneuvers in the freestyle snowboarding discipline.

The recent achievements, particularly Yoon Seung-eun's historic bronze medal win at the freestyle snowboarding event, mark a significant turning point for the sport in Korea. Head coach Lee Chang-ho revealed during an interview that the daring air trick was practiced only on a training mat, underlining the remarkable trust and courage shown by Yoon in her execution. Her victory celebration, which included throwing her board in excitement, displayed not just her skill but also the emotional authenticity this generation brings to competitions.

Choi Ga-on and Lee Chae-woon also reflect the confidence and ambition prevalent among these young athletes. In their post-qualification interviews, they expressed determination to showcase their full technical repertoire during the finals and to carve a strong identity in the competitive landscape, suggesting aspirations of redefining South Korea's presence in winter sports. This generation is not just aiming to participate; they intend to challenge the norms and establish themselves as formidable competitors on the global stage, as seen in their ongoing preparations for the upcoming Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

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