Kim falls short in bid to win third straight gold

The snowboard world witnessed a changing of the guard at the 2026 Winter Olympics, as 17-year-old Choi Gaon of South Korea dethroned two-time defending champion Chloe Kim in the women's halfpipe. Kim, aiming to become the first snowboarder to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals, had to settle for silver after falling on her final run [1]. Choi's stunning final run of 90.25 secured her the gold, leaving Kim with a score of 88.00 from her first run [2].

Quick Stats

Choi Gaon won gold with a score of 90.25 on her final run.
Chloe Kim took silver with a score of 88.00 from her first run.
Kim was aiming for her third straight Olympic gold medal.
Mitsuki Ono of Japan claimed bronze.

The Reign Ends: Choi Gaon Takes Gold

Kim entered the competition with the weight of expectation, aiming for a historic three-peat. A shoulder injury last month cast doubt on her participation, making her silver medal even more meaningful [1]. After the event, Kim acknowledged the pressure, stating, "I think that there was a lot of conversation happening about the three-peat." She added that the injury made her realize "that doesn't matter anymore. So this feels like a win to me because a month ago it didn't seem too possible."

A Nail-Biting Final

Kim started strong, scoring 88 points on her first run while many other finalists struggled. However, she couldn't maintain her momentum, falling on her second and third runs [1]. Choi, after two falls, landed a spectacular final run, snatching the gold from Kim [5]. The crowd, including snowboarding legend Shaun White, watched with bated breath as the drama unfolded [1].

Passing the Torch

Choi Gaon has long idolized Kim, who rose to superstardom after the 2018 Olympics [2]. Kim was the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding gold medal in PyeongChang. Now, Choi has broken Kim's record as the youngest women's snowboarding gold medalist [2].

By The Numbers

90.25: Choi Gaon's gold-medal-winning score on her final run.
88.00: Chloe Kim's score on her first run, which earned her the silver medal.
2: The number of Olympic gold medals Kim had won prior to this event (2018, 2022) [1].
17: Choi Gaon's age, making her the youngest women's snowboarding gold medalist [1].

What To Watch Next

Reflection: How will Chloe Kim approach future competitions after this experience?
Choi's Ascent: Can Choi Gaon maintain her dominance in upcoming snowboarding events?
Future Games: Will Kim and Choi face off again at the next Winter Olympics, and how will their rivalry evolve?