17-Year-Old Choi Gaon Stuns Chloe Kim to Win Historic Snowboard Halfpipe Gold at 2026 Winter Olympics

The snowboarding world witnessed a historic upset on Thursday as 17-year-old South Korean sensation Choi Gaon captured the gold medal in the women's halfpipe at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. In a high-stakes final at the Livigno Snow Park, Choi outshined the legendary Chloe Kim, ending the American’s quest for a historic third consecutive Olympic title.

Choi, who has been a rising star on the FIS World Cup circuit, delivered a breathtaking performance in her third and final run. After recovering from a heavy crash earlier in the competition, she executed a flawless series of tricks to earn a score of 90.25. This victory marks South Korea's first-ever gold medal in women's snowboarding halfpipe and its first gold of the 2026 Games.

Chloe Kim, the 2018 and 2022 champion, had been the favorite to win and become the first woman to earn three Olympic gold medals in snowboarding. Despite a strong performance, her best score of 88.00 secured the silver medal. Japan's Mitsuki Ono took the bronze with a score of 85.00.

"I can't believe it," Choi said through an interpreter following her victory. "To compete against Chloe, who has been my idol, is an honor. To win gold is a dream come true for me and for my country."

The victory is particularly sweet for Choi, who has been mentored by Kim in the past. The two shared an emotional embrace at the bottom of the pipe after the results were announced, a testament to the mutual respect between the established legend and the new champion.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Games continue to deliver surprises on Day 6, with Choi Gaon’s victory standing out as one of the most significant upsets of the tournament so far.