1st round of 'Bang from the head' shock → Perfect rebound → 'Bang from the head' Choi Ga-on announced the birth of the youngest snowboard 'NEW Empress.' [Milan Olympics]

*This content was translated by AI.

Everyone is speechless. Until Choi Ga-on (18, Sehwa Girls' High School) made a shocking landing mistake in the first period, everyone was unexpected. She proudly beat "The Empress" Chloe Kim (26, USA) to the top of the Olympic Stadium of Dreams.

Choi Gaon won the women's halfpipe final at the 2026 Milan/Cortina D'Ampezzo Winter Olympics at Lvigno Snowpark in Italy on the 13th (Korea time), beating Chloe Kim (USA) with 88.00 points with 90.25 points.

Born in November 2008, at the age of 17 years and 3 months, Chloe Kim also broke the record for the youngest gold medal in the event (17 years and 10 months) at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, giving Korea its first gold medal in the event.

In addition, it is the first gold medal ever won by a Korean athlete in a snow event. It was all the more meaningful as "Cabbage Boy" Lee Sang-ho (31, Nexen-Wingard) won his first medal in the snowboard Alpine at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games with a silver medal, followed by Kim Sang-gyeom (37, Hiwon) with a silver medal in the same event, and Yoo Seung-eun (18, Sungbok High School) with a bronze medal in the women's snowboard Big Air.

In the preliminary round, Choi Ga-on was still the strongest candidate. It was evaluated that Chloe Kim won three consecutive gold medals at this season's World Cup and increased Choi Ga-on's chances of winning the title even more because she was not in normal condition due to a shoulder injury in January.

It was like a drama. In the first period, Choi Ga-on made his first jump perfectly, but he created a dizzying situation during the landing process in the second jump-cap double 1080 (three-wheeled rotation). When the board got caught on the lip, it fell from the head, and everyone watching was lost for words and had to watch the situation.

Patrol approached and examined Choi Gaon's condition, and after a long talk, Choi Gaon came down to the finish line wiping away tears. The crowd cheered and cheered in unison, encouraging Choi Ga-on. The official score was 10.

Ahead of the second period, "DNS (Did not start)" was listed on the official website of the tournament, and it was found to have been a mistake. Choi Ga-on boldly took his first step, but he fell, perhaps out of anxiety, and eventually came down as it was once again.

Korean snowboard halfpipe empress Chloe Kim was ranked first with 88 points in the first period, while Japan's Mitsuki Ono was also ranked second with 85 points.

However, Choi Gaon did not miss his last chance. He played as if he showed anxiety, but he was forced to contract. Instead of a huge rotation of 1080 degrees or more, he focused on performing stably while reducing the difficulty somewhat. Instead, he used techniques such as Switch Back 900, Cap 720, and Front Side 900 perfectly, and this time, he even landed neatly. Although it was not a 100% satisfactory performance, Choi Ga-on raised his arms and expressed satisfaction just because he used all his skills as he wanted.

As soon as the score was released, not only Choi Ga-on but also all those watching roared. The chairman of the Korean Sports Council, Yoo Seung Min, who visited the site, also couldn't hide his joy by jumping with his arms raised.

Choi Ga-on, who was watching the last race in the first place, was confirmed as the final winner when Chloe Kim, who was in the final challenge, fell during the jump. Choi Ga-on was thrilled by shouting and sharing a hug with his family, and Chloe Kim also approached Choi Ga-on and congratulated him.

Choi Ga-on, who was invited to the 2023 Extreme Sports Event X Game and gained attention by winning the title as the youngest (14 years and 2 months), participated in the World Cup in Rocks, Switzerland early next year and suffered a serious back injury, facing a major crisis in his career. He fractured his spine and went to the operating table and had to devote a year to rehabilitation.

Choi Ga-on, who returned after difficult rehabilitation, predicted the birth of the main character for the Olympic season. It was difficult to predict the ending at all until the last minute, but Choi Ga-on ended up with the lead role of a dramatic drama.

Choi Ga-on, who later appeared for the awards ceremony, limped. After bronze medal Ono and silver medal Chloe Kim, Choi Ga-on last reached the podium. Winner "CHOI" was called out, and Choi Ga-on climbed to the top of the podium with a bright smile. With the gold medal around his neck, he couldn't hide his tears as if he remembered the previous moment.

The national anthem rang out in the Rivigno Snow Park, and Choi Gaon shook his body and sobbed. Choi Ga-on enjoyed the best moment of his life by taking selfies with the two players.

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*This content was translated by AI.