LIVIGNO, Italy – The reign of Chloe Kim atop the women’s halfpipe came to a stunning end Thursday at the , 2026 Winter Olympics. South Korea’s Gaon Choi, at just 17 years old, dethroned the two-time defending champion with a dramatic final run score of 90.25, securing the gold medal and etching her name into Olympic snowboarding history.
Kim, seeking an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic gold, finished with a silver medal after falling on her final attempt. Japan’s Mitsuki Ono claimed the bronze, rounding out the podium.
The victory marks a passing of the torch, a moment Kim herself acknowledged with grace and genuine emotion. Having mentored Choi throughout her burgeoning career, Kim embraced the young champion immediately after the final run. “It’s all about passing the torch, so there’s no one else I would have rather stood next to on the podium than her,” Kim said. “I’m so proud of her, and I’m so excited to see what she does next.”
Choi’s path to gold was far from straightforward. She endured a harrowing first run, crashing heavily and requiring a period of medical attention. She remained on the course for several minutes before riding off unassisted, leaving her participation in doubt. Despite the fall, and a second stumble on her second run, Choi displayed remarkable resilience. “After I took my first half, I thought, ‘Do I need to give up?'” Choi revealed. “I cried, clenched my teeth and started walking and felt the energy came back into my legs. I thought, ‘I can keep trying and I could get back into these Games.'”
That determination culminated in a breathtaking final run, a performance that not only secured the gold but also established Choi as the first South Korean woman to win an Olympic snowboarding gold medal. She is also the youngest snowboarding Games champion, surpassing American Red Gerard’s previous record.
The win is particularly significant considering Choi’s relatively recent emergence on the world stage. She became the youngest X Games winner at age 14 in 2023, and this Olympics represented her first opportunity to compete on the grandest stage. Her triumph breaks a streak of American and Australian dominance in the women’s halfpipe, with Kaitlyn Farrington (2014) and Torah Bright (2010) being the last non-American/Australian athletes to claim the top spot.
Kim’s silver medal performance came despite battling a shoulder injury sustained just four weeks prior to the Games. She competed wearing a stabilizing brace, a testament to her toughness and commitment. However, the injury clearly impacted her performance in the final, as she was unable to land her signature tricks cleanly on her last two runs.
“I think that there was a lot of conversation happening about the three-peat,” Kim said. “I was thinking about it before, but I think the minute I injured myself, I was like, that doesn’t matter anymore. So this feels like a win to me because a month ago it didn’t seem too possible.” She confirmed she will require surgery on her shoulder following the Games.
The final runs were a rollercoaster of emotions. Kim initially led the competition with a score of 88 on her first run, while many of the other finalists struggled to stay upright. However, her subsequent falls opened the door for Choi, who seized the opportunity with her stunning final performance.
Kim wasn’t the only two-time defending champion to fall short of a historic three-peat at these Games. Czech Ester Ledecka and Austria’s Anna Gasser also failed to secure gold in their respective events, highlighting the unpredictable nature of Olympic competition.
Snowboarding legend Shaun White, a three-time Olympic gold medalist himself (though not consecutively), was present at Livigno Snow Park and witnessed the dramatic conclusion to the women’s halfpipe final. He acknowledged the inherent challenges of the sport. “It’s a wild sport,” White said. “You can get injured. Someone can learn a new trick overnight. There’s a lot of variables. It’s never a sure thing.”
White was quick to emphasize that Kim’s legacy remains secure. “She’s a legend. She’s got two golds. She’s no stranger to pressure. It just wasn’t her night, I think,” he said.
The atmosphere at the bottom of the hill after Choi’s winning run was electric, with the South Korean team erupting in celebration. Kim, despite her disappointment, was among the first to congratulate Choi, demonstrating the respect and camaraderie that defines the snowboarding community. The presence of Kim’s boyfriend, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, and Snoop Dogg in the cheering section added to the celebratory atmosphere.
Choi’s victory is more than just a gold medal; it’s a symbol of a changing of the guard in women’s snowboarding, and a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. The 17-year-old has arrived, and the snowboarding world is eager to see what she accomplishes next.
