Choi Ga-on, a rising star in snowboarding, has achieved a historic milestone by securing South Korea’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in a snow event at the women’s snowboard halfpipe final held at Livigno Snow Park. This victory comes during the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, where Choi managed to overcome a challenging start with two wipeouts in her first two runs. In a dramatic turnaround, she delivered an outstanding performance in her final run, scoring 90.25 points which catapulted her to the top of the podium, emphatically defeating American snowboarder Chloe Kim.

Choi's victory is particularly significant not just for her personal achievement but also as it breaks a record for the youngest gold medalist in the event. At just 17 years and three months old, she surpasses the previous record held by Chloe Kim, who was 17 years and 10 months old when she won gold in Pyeongchang 2018. This achievement not only marks a pivotal moment in Choi’s blossoming career but also establishes her as a formidable force in international snowboarding, especially given the heightened competition she faced from established athletes.

As Choi stood atop the podium with a gold medal around her neck, her limping from an earlier injury underscored the determination and resilience it took to secure her victory. Given her success at such a young age, many are now keenly watching the trajectory of her career, anticipating future display of talent and potential dominance in upcoming international snowboard competitions, and particularly at future Olympic events.