Quick Read
- South Korea’s Gaon Choi, 17, won Olympic women’s halfpipe gold with 90.25 points.
- Choi achieved a dramatic comeback after two severe falls in earlier runs.
- She dethroned two-time reigning champion Chloe Kim, who took silver with 88.00 points.
- The competition took place in Livigno, Italy, under challenging snowy conditions.
- Japan’s Mitsuki Ono claimed the bronze medal.
LIVIGNO, Italy (Azat TV) – South Korea’s 17-year-old snowboard sensation Gaon Choi dramatically claimed the Olympic women’s halfpipe gold medal on Thursday, staging an incredible comeback after two severe falls to dethrone two-time reigning champion Chloe Kim of the United States. Choi’s final run, scoring a remarkable 90.25 points, secured her place at the top of the podium in Livigno, Italy, marking a stunning turnaround in a competition fraught with challenging conditions.
The highly anticipated final at Livigno Snowpark saw several athletes struggle with difficult, slick, and snowy conditions. Choi, considered a major threat to Kim’s reign, experienced a brutal fall during her first run, requiring medical attention at the bottom of the halfpipe. Despite the visible impact, she demonstrated remarkable tenacity by navigating down the hill under her own power and choosing to continue the competition. Another fall on her second attempt further intensified the drama, placing immense pressure on her final opportunity.
Choi Ga-On’s Resilient Path to Olympic Gold
Entering her third and final run, Gaon Choi delivered a performance that captivated spectators and judges alike. Starting in a switch stance, she flawlessly executed a switch backside 900 with a mute grab, followed by a cab 720, a frontside 900 melon grab, and a backside 900 stale fish. Her final trick, a frontside 720 indy grab, completed a run characterized by high technical execution and stable landings, earning her near-unanimous high scores. This powerful display of skill and determination resulted in her winning score of 90.25 points, propelling her past Chloe Kim’s leading score of 88.00 from her first run, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Choi’s victory, while dramatic, was not entirely unexpected. She had previously won X Games gold in the event as a 14-year-old and secured three World Cup contests this season, cementing her status as a rising superstar in the sport. Her ability to overcome significant mid-event setbacks and deliver under pressure underscored her exceptional mental fortitude and talent, as noted by The Chosun Ilbo.
Challenging Conditions and Chloe Kim’s Pursuit of History
The final was marked by heavy snowfall, which made the halfpipe trickier for snowboarders. Snow can slow down the halfpipe, making it harder for athletes to gain the necessary speed for their aerial maneuvers and increasing the likelihood of falls, a factor that undoubtedly contributed to the early struggles seen across the field, according to NBC New York. These conditions tested the limits of every competitor, adding another layer of challenge to the high-stakes event.
Chloe Kim, the two-time reigning Olympic champion from Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022, was aiming to become the first snowboarder to win three consecutive gold medals. Her initial score of 88.00 had held up through much of the competition, putting her on the cusp of history. However, Choi’s dramatic final run put Kim under pressure to respond. On her last attempt, Kim fell, ultimately settling for silver. Despite the disappointment of not securing a third gold, Kim was seen beaming with a smile on the medal stand, accepting her silver medal for the first time in her Olympic career, as confirmed by KCTV5.
The New Era of Women’s Halfpipe Snowboarding
Japan’s Mitsuki Ono secured the bronze medal, completing the podium. The event highlighted the increasing depth of talent in women’s halfpipe snowboarding, with young athletes like Choi Ga-on pushing the boundaries of the sport. The dramatic conclusion, marked by resilience and extraordinary athletic performance, will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the defining moments of these Winter Olympics.
Choi Ga-on’s Olympic gold, achieved through a remarkable comeback against formidable conditions and a legendary opponent, not only signals her arrival as a dominant force but also exemplifies the profound impact of mental toughness and perseverance in elite athletic competition.