Choi Ga-on made headlines by winning the gold medal in the women's halfpipe event at the Winter Olympics, marking a historic achievement as the first South Korean female snowboarder to do so. Her victory was highlighted by NBC as one of the top ten moments from the early segment of the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. NBC described how Choi's upset against the strong competitor Chloe Kim was a major surprise, given Kim's significant standing as a favorite for a possible third consecutive Olympic title. This victory has not only amplified Choi's status in the snowboarding community but has also led to her recognition as a rising star in the sport.