History happened in a flurry: Gaon Choi’s dramatic Olympic debut resulted in a gold medal, while Chloe Kim took the silver in a shocking upset. Two young Korean women won gold and silver in one pivotal moment for women’s snowboarding at Livigno Snow Park.
Gaon’s Achievements
At just 17 years old, Gaon is the same age Chloe was in 2018 when she became the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboard medal. Gaon’s gold also marks the first time a Korean national won a medal in a snow sport.
After falling, at first Gaon thought, do I have to quit like this? And she cried and cried. But then she gritted her teeth, and as she started to walk, strength began to return to her legs. From there, she came to peace with trying again.
As Milan rose for the anthem of the Republic of Korea, two Korean medalists shined with pride, holding the weight of making history around their necks. Gazing up at the Korean flag, the sky fluttered with fresh snow and hope. On a cold, snow-swirling night, the future of Koreans in the sport is bright. We couldn’t ask for a better ending.
Chloe’s Shoulder Injury
Chloe had only been on snow for eight days all winter because of a torn labrum in her shoulder. The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games were the first competition of the season for Chloe, just four weeks removed from her shoulder injury. Chloe was cleared by doctors and came ready with a securely taped shoulder.
Despite her injury interfering with training, 25-year old Chloe entered the 2026 Olympics on a quest for gold––a feat the world had no doubt she could achieve as the favorite and two-time reigning and defending Olympic gold medalist (Pyeongchang 2018, Beijing 2022)––looking to become the first snowboarder, man or woman, to win gold at three consecutive games.
Chloe Kim of the United States in the women’s halfpipe final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park. Joe Camporeale, Imagn Images
Chloe and Gaon’s History
Their story spans over a decade.
Chloe was the reason Gaon took up snowboarding as a child, inspired seeing Chloe win gold in Pyeongchang when Gaon was just 9 years old.
The two first met in 2017, when Chloe was in South Korea for a test event. Chloe took Gaon under her wing as a mentor. Chloe and her father even brought Gaon to the US to train with the Mammoth Mountain Developmental Team, where Chloe grew up riding.
Chloe’s guidance, namely, perfecting the basics, shaped Gaon’s technique in preparation up to this point.
The snowboarders’ fathers also share a similar friendship. Chloe’s dad gave Gaon’s father plenty of advice on how to nurture her talent, advice that Gaon believes made her who she is today.
When Chloe looks at Gaon, it feels like seeing a mirror reflection of herself and her family. In 2023, at 14, Gaon, hot on her tail, broke Chloe’s record as the youngest X Games halfpipe champion. Gaon had just started snowboarding when she and Chloe first met; witnessing Gaon’s progress was a marvel to see.
And now, as fire-blazing as young 2018 Chloe taking the world by storm, Gaon is the Olympic champion. Gaon gets the first medal for South Korea in this event, and it’s gold.
The Moment It Happened
Gaon was noted as the most significant threat to Chloe not going home with gold.
She didn’t hold back on her first run: launching a Frontside 1080, and then a big Backside 900 that didn’t get enough clearance. Gaon made contact with the lip, flipped upside down, and landed hard, laying on the snow for several moments. The edge, hard as polished marble, delivered a hard impact, raising the question of withdrawal for Gaon. She stayed down as medical staff checked her for concussion.
South Korea’s Choi Gaon crashes as she competes in the snowboard women’s halfpipe final run 1 during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Livigno Snow Park on Feb. 12, 2026. Kirill Kudryavtsev, Getty Images
After the broadcast broke with news that Gaon was pulling out of the competition, Gaon unexpectedly dropped in for a second run, which ended in another fall.
Chloe’s first run of three successfully combined a Backside 720, an incredibly difficult but composed Switch Backset Air, a Switch Double Cork 1080, into an Inverted 540 with an Indy grab. Her second run––Backside 720, perfect Switch Method Air an impressive 12 feet out, back to back Double Cork 1080––landed a bit too far down on the trough of the transition towards the bottom, marking Chloe’s first fall of the competition.
Then comes Gaon’s final try. She perfectly executes a Switch Backside 900. She throws into a Frontside 720. Backside 900. And closes the run on a Frontside 720, landing her third and final run in the ultimate climax: a score that shoots her to the top of the leaderboard. Her Korean supporters erupt in celebration, as the rest of the stadium is stunned. Soft snowfall feels heavy as Chloe chases history into the final stretch.
The stadium holds their breath. Chloe stands at the top of the pipe. Pressure mounts. She squares herself for her last run.
Then, the tension collapses: Chloe washes out on her second ambitious Double. Gaon’s team cries out in relief and celebration, while the crowd goes still, shocked.
Chloe started the night with the world hopeful she’d become the only snowboarder to ever to win three gold medals in a row. Gaon’s final run earns a 90.25 and takes the lead, defeating Chloe’s 88.0 from run #1.
Their inverted performances made for a dramatic turn of events: Chloe’s flawless first run immediately sprang her into the lead, but ended in two close but missed landings. Gaon took a serious fall, then a second one, but closed out with an unbelievable comeback. For the first time, she climbs to the top of the heap.
Chloe Kim of Team United States reacts after she crashes in run three of the Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe Final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Snow Park on Feb. 12, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. Patrick Smith, Getty Images
Chloe’s Supportive Response
Chloe’s upset became a historic moment for Gaon. And Chloe couldn’t have been happier for her.
She rode right up to Gaon’s party and joined the pile, wrapping her in a hug.
“Gaon-ah, neomu jalhaesseo (Gaon, you did so good!)” Chloe beamed, absolutely overjoyed for her competitor. Gaon burst into tears as Chloe joined her celebration.
It must have been overwhelming: in an instant, Gaon went from admiring Chloe as her inspiration to becoming the youngest Olympics snowboarding champion ever. But perhaps what was most moving was Chloe’s incredible display of sportsmanship, showing how unity between the two Korean snowboarders allowed them both to rise together.
Chloe gushed over the insane night, singing Gaon’s praises: “She’s literally a spitting image of me when I was her age. She is such a force, I knew she was going to give me a run for my money tonight. I’m so proud knowing I was able to lead and push this progression in a way. To see someone like Gaon out here doing it all is pretty amazing.” Chloe’s response reveals her deeper care for the progression of Women’s Halfpipe snowboarding.
Silver is still a feat for the once indomitable Chloe, who just a month before the games, was unsure whether she would even be able to compete. Battling both her shoulder injury and a dark place in mental health, Chloe’s breezy, smiling appearance masks the lengths she overcame to face her fear of returning to the Olympic stage. “To land my run in my first final of the season was the most rewarding and validating thing I’ve ever experienced,” Chloe shared. “My priority is always doing the best I can in that moment. In my eyes, I’m a winner, because I was able to persevere and fight through. This medal means so much to me, and according to my color analysis, white metals make me look brightest!” reads her classy caption.
Chloe Kim of the United States celebrates after her first run in the women’s halfpipe final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park.
Joe Camporeale, Imagn Images
Chloe expressed gratitude for her achievement; her focus was more on having good practices and staying in one piece than about what medal she would win. Going for a combination that had never been done, Chloe’s final attempt rode a smooth Backside 720 and Switch Method Air, before landing her Double just short on her heels. Chloe remains an impressive and beloved role model and pivotal figure of women’s snowboarding. She will receive surgery on her torn labrum when she returns home.
A Nod to Korean Heritage
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Chloe shared:
“My parents left South Korea in search of a better future for their family. They left behind everything they knew so that my sisters and I could have the chance to one day live the American dream. Their sacrifice is one I will never take for granted.
So when I stand at the top of the halfpipe, competing on the biggest stage in sport, I do so with immense pride. I am representing my country but I am also representing those who took a leap of faith, who came to this beautiful nation carrying hopes, dreams, and courage.”
Chloe’s post lifted up the other medalists: She expressed awe and admiration towards Mitsuki Ono, praising her for her style, and shared massive congratulations to Gaon, inspired by her strength and mental fortitude.
Chloe feels proud of inspiring a whole new generation: “I’m aware I can’t do this forever. Seeing that this sport is left in very good hands, I’m excited to watch Gaon continue to shine like I always knew she would. Gaon’s talented, but she’s the hardest working. That’s why she is as amazing as she is today. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
The podium reveals the rise of Asians dominating snow sports. If there’s one thing these two Korean athletes know how to do (besides blazing down the halfpipe and winning the Olympics), it’s mustering up the resilience and compassion to uplift one another as this big, exciting shift takes place.
