Choi Ga-on of South Korea, aged 18, has won the country's first Olympic gold medal in snowboarding, and a 9-year-old family video showcasing her talent has resurfaced online.
Choi Ga-on, an 18-year-old South Korean snowboarding representative, made history by winning South Korea's first ever Olympic gold medal in snowboarding at the Winter Olympics held in Milan-Cortina 2026. On February 13, during the women's halfpipe event, she triumphed over America's Chloe Kim, who was aiming for her third consecutive Olympic title. Remarkably, Choi set a new record as the youngest gold medalist in this category, surpassing Chloe Kim's previous record from 2018 by just seven months. The achievement signifies a monumental moment in South Korea's history in winter sports.
Alongside her victory, a nine-year-old video featuring Choi and her family, who are all snowboarding enthusiasts, has gone viral. The clip, originally aired in 2017 on SBS's "There Are Such Things in the World," showcased the remarkable talent of Choi and her siblings, reflecting their family's deep connection to the sport. The segment highlighted how Choi, alongside her parents and three siblings, developed their snowboarding skills together, capturing the attention of viewers at the time. Now, this past footage has gained renewed popularity as fans celebrate her recent success.
Social media celebrations of her achievement have flooded in, with fans expressing their joy and congratulating Choi as she has not only fulfilled her dreams but also made history for her country. Commenters reminisced about her childhood and praised her talent, noting her flawless performance in the final round where she initially struggled before coming back with a score of 90.25 in her final run. Her journey from a young snowboarder introduced in a family-oriented program to an Olympic champion serves as an inspiring narrative for young athletes everywhere.
