KEY POINTS
- 17-year-old Choi Ga-on wins women’s snowboard halfpipe gold at 2026 Winter Olympics.
- Chloe Kim settles for silver, ending bid for three consecutive Olympic titles.
- Mitsuki Ono of Japan earns bronze in a dramatic final at Livigno Snow Park.
In a dramatic turn on Thursday night, 17-year-old South Korean snowboarder Choi Ga-on captured the women’s halfpipe gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, upending American star Chloe Kim’s bid for a historic third straight Olympic title. The final took place at Livigno Snow Park in Italy, where Choi’s outstanding final run earned the highest score of the night and secured her place atop the podium.
Choi’s path to the gold medal was far from smooth. In her first run, she suffered a heavy crash that forced a brief medical check, followed by a second run that also ended in a fall. With her Olympic aspirations hanging in the balance, Choi delivered a near-flawless third attempt, scoring 90.25 and leapfrogging her competitors in the final standings.
Chloe Kim, a two-time Olympic champion from the United States, had led the competition early with a strong first run that scored 88.00. Her performance put pressure on the field, and many expected her to claim an unprecedented third consecutive gold in the halfpipe. However, a fall in her final descent prevented her from improving her score, leaving her with the silver medal.
Japan’s Mitsuki Ono completed the podium with a bronze medal performance, finishing behind Choi and Kim in a competitive final. Ono’s solid outing reflected consistency in challenging conditions and added another medal to Japan’s tally at the Games.
Choi’s victory marks a historic achievement for South Korea in winter snowboarding. At just 17, she became the first South Korean athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in the women’s halfpipe event and one of the youngest to ever reach the top of an Olympic snowboarding podium. Her triumph stands as a breakthrough moment for the nation’s winter sports program.
For Kim, the silver medal represents a remarkable Olympic performance in its own right, despite falling short of the elusive three-peat. The Californian snowboarder had entered the final as the overwhelming favorite, having already claimed gold medals at both the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics. Her legacy in the sport includes raising the technical bar and inspiring a generation of younger riders.
Conditions at Livigno Snow Park presented additional challenges for riders, with snowfall adding difficulty to the already demanding halfpipe course. Many competitors struggled to maintain momentum and flow, making Choi’s composed final run even more impressive. The ability to perform under pressure highlighted her competitive poise and technical prowess.
Choi’s resilience was on full display after her early setbacks. When she crashed on her first run, it appeared she might be forced out of medal contention. However, she regrouped and returned with confidence, showcasing a blend of amplitude, control, and precision on her final descent that pushed her score to the forefront.
The rivalry between rising talents was visible throughout the event. Kim’s experience and consistency contrasted with the youthful fearlessness shown by Choi, whose breakthrough performance signals the arrival of a new generation of snowboard stars. Mitsuki Ono’s podium finish further cemented the depth of talent present in the women’s halfpipe field.
Spectators at the venue and viewers worldwide witnessed a final that combined drama, athletic excellence, and a shifting competitive landscape. The emotional reactions from athletes, coaches, and fans underscored the significance of the moment, particularly for Choi as she celebrated her achievement amidst cheers.
In the aftermath of the event, Kim expressed pride in her performance and admiration for Choi’s success. Despite narrowly missing the historic milestone, Kim’s presence on the podium reflected her enduring impact on the sport. Choi’s win also served as an inspirational highlight for young athletes and snowboarding enthusiasts across Asia and beyond.
The women’s halfpipe final at the 2026 Winter Olympics will be remembered as one of the standout moments of the Games, combining youthful breakthrough with seasoned excellence. As athletes depart Livigno, the snowboarding community will look ahead to future competitions where the sport’s evolving competitive narrative will continue to unfold.
