Lee Seung-hoon, a 21-year-old from Korea University of Sport, has made history as the first South Korean to advance to the finals of the men's freestyle skiing halfpipe at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. On January 20th, he scored 76 points in the first round of the qualifiers held at Livigno Snow Park in Italy, placing 10th among 25 competitors to secure his spot in the finals. Only 12 athletes will compete for medals in this round, showcasing the top talents in spring skiing at this prestigious event.

The halfpipe competition requires athletes to perform aerial tricks on a semi-circular slope, with scores determined by judges based on their air maneuvers. This Olympic discipline is inclusive of both skiing and snowboarding. Notably, in women's snowboarding halfpipe, Cho Ga-on made history as the first Korean to win a gold medal in skiing and snowboarding. In the men's category, Lee Chae-woon finished in 6th place, also contributing to Korea's presence in winter sports competitions.

Lee Seung-hoon previously competed in the Beijing Winter Olympics but did not advance past the qualifiers, finishing in 16th place. This recent achievement marks a significant moment in his career, especially as he earned a gold medal in freestyle skiing at the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games. He began his athletic career as an inline skater in 4th grade before switching to freestyle skiing in 5th grade. The final round of the men's freestyle skiing halfpipe is scheduled for January 21st at 3:30 AM, where Lee will compete third among the finalists, following a snow delay that postponed the qualifiers.