Cooper Woods made headlines at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics by winning Australia's first gold medal of the games in the moguls event. Competing against the world’s elite, Woods, who previously had only one career podium finish, astonished fans and experts alike with outstanding performances. He advanced through the second-chance qualifying rounds, ultimately scoring an impressive 83.60 that propelled him into the finals and positioned him to compete for the gold. In the super final, Woods went last among the top contenders and matched the score of renowned Canadian skier Mikael Kingsbury at 83.71. However, Woods clinched the gold by scoring higher in the evaluation category of turns, highlighting his technical prowess and execution. Japanese skier Ikuma Horishima took home the bronze with a score of 83.44, demonstrating the competitiveness of the event. The success of Woods and fellow Australian competitors Matt Graham and Jackson Harvey, who finished fifth and eighth respectively, further ignited excitement among the Australian crowd. This victory not only marks a significant achievement for Woods but also signifies Australia’s presence in winter sports at the Olympics. Given that Woods had never won a FIS World Cup event prior to this, his gold medal will likely inspire a new wave of interest in moguls skiing back home. As Australia celebrates this stunning success, it sets the tone for the nation’s performance in the Winter Olympics, injecting confidence and enthusiasm among its athletes and supporters alike.