Choi Ga-on, an 18-year-old snowboarder, has been diagnosed with three fractures after clinching South Korea's first gold medal at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in women's halfpipe snowboarding. On her Instagram post from the hospital, she shared a photo along with the phrase '3 fractures', indicating the severity of her injuries. Reports suggest she continued to compete in the finals despite experiencing the injuries, underlining her dedication and resilience.

During the competition, which took place on the morning of February 13 at the Livigno Snowpark in Italy, Choi scored 90.25 points to secure the gold medal. Her performance was particularly impressive considering she suffered a significant fall during her first run. After injuring herself, she limped through the competition yet managed to successfully complete her final attempt, showcasing her technical skill and competitive spirit.

After returning to South Korea, Choi held a press conference on February 16, where she described her struggle to keep moving during the competition despite her injuries. She mentioned, 'I tried to apply pressure from my toes to move my feet,' and expressed relief at being able to compete. At the airport, she was seen with a bandage on her left hand, indicating an injury near her thumb. Following her return, she plans to receive a thorough medical examination to assess the extent of her injuries further and ensure proper treatment going forward.