Gaon Choi Tops Chloe Kim To Win Olympic Halfpipe Gold
Seventeen-year-old Gaon Choi scored 90.25 in Livigno to overtake Chloe Kim, 25, who fell and earned silver while competing with a shoulder injury; Kim plans surgery.
Overview
Seventeen-year-old Gaon Choi won the women's Olympic halfpipe in Livigno with a final-run 90.25, overtaking Chloe Kim, who fell on her last attempt and settled for silver.
Chloe Kim entered the final seeking a historic third consecutive Olympic halfpipe gold while competing with a recent shoulder injury after her first competition of the season and led early with an 88.00.
Choi said, "It's the kind of story you only see in dreams," and Chloe Kim hugged Choi after the finish, calling the result a "full-circle moment" and expressing pride in mentoring her.
Seven of the 12 finalists fell in their opening runs, Choi is the first female Korean to medal in snow sports and South Korea's first snowboard gold, and Choi is 17 years, 101 days old.
Kim said the silver "means so much" after uncertainty about competing and plans shoulder surgery, while Choi said she wants to introduce snowboarding more to South Korea through her Olympic performance.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as an inspirational mentorship and cultural breakthrough, using emotive verbs ('foiled', 'dramatic crash') and humanizing detail. Coverage prioritizes the coach‑protégé bond and national firsts, highlights celebratory imagery and sequencing (dramatic fall, comeback, warm embrace), and omits technical critique or rival perspectives.
Sources (4)
FAQ
Choi Gaon's gold medal is historic for South Korea as she is the first South Korean Olympic gold medalist in a snow event and the youngest women's halfpipe gold medalist at 17 years and three months old[1]. Her victory also represents a breakthrough for snowboarding in Korea, a sport that has historically lacked infrastructure and visible role models in the country[1].
Chloe Kim mentored Choi Gaon for nearly a decade, helping her master tricks and providing crucial support during difficult moments. When Choi was injured during overseas training early in her career, Kim translated at the hospital, shared meals with her, and offered advice on recovery and life on tour[1]. Kim and her father also helped bring Choi to the US to train with the Mammoth Mountain Development Team[2]. After Choi's victory, Kim posted on social media calling herself a 'proud mom' and expressing confidence in snowboarding's future[1].
Chloe Kim was attempting to make Olympic history by winning three consecutive gold medals in the women's halfpipe, which would have made her the first snowboarder ever to achieve this feat[3]. She fell on her final run, which cost her the gold medal[1][3]. Additionally, Kim was competing with a recent shoulder injury after her first competition of the season and had been uncertain about competing[3].
Chloe Kim responded with grace and pride in Choi's achievement. Moments after falling on her last run, Kim sprinted to Choi, wrapped her in a hug, and beamed through the medal ceremony[1]. Kim called the result a 'full-circle moment' and expressed pride in mentoring her[1]. She continued to point at Choi as the victor during the medal ceremony and said the silver medal 'means so much' after the uncertainty surrounding her participation[3].
Choi Gaon expressed a desire to introduce snowboarding more broadly to South Korea through her Olympic performance[1]. She also described the moment as bittersweet, noting that while she wanted to win gold, she couldn't help cheering for her idol Chloe Kim[1].
History
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