Choi Gaon, born on November 3, 2008, made history by securing South Korea's first-ever Olympic gold medal in skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Italy. At 17 years and 3 months, she surpassed the previous youngest Olympic gold medalist in this sport, Chloe Kim, who was 17 years and 10 months old at her victory. This achievement not only marks a milestone for Choi but also for the South Korean national team, as it is the first gold medal in skiing for the country, showcasing the growth of winter sports in South Korea.

The event took place on January 13, 2026, at the Livigno Snowpark in Italy, where Choi faced early challenges in her competition. After failing her first two runs, Choi had to overcome a leg injury sustained during her initial jump when her board caught on a slope, resulting in a tumble. Despite the pain, she returned for her third run and executed a series of impressive jumps, including a 900-degree and a 720-degree rotation, ultimately scoring 90.25 points to clinch the gold medal. Her remarkable recovery from injury and determination to succeed exemplifies the resilience of athletes at such high levels of competition.

Choi's victory is significant not just for her personal achievements but also for the future of skiing in South Korea. The inspiring story of a young athlete overcoming obstacles to achieve success has the potential to encourage more young people in South Korea to participate in winter sports. As winter sports grow in popularity, this win could lead to increased investment in training and infrastructure, fostering a new generation of athletes who aspire to compete on the international stage.