Choi Ga-on rewrites history with Olympic gold and Crystal Globe triumphs
South Korea's Choi Ga-on has made history by securing two major titles in a single season. The snowboarder claimed gold at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and became the first Korean to win the Overall Snowboard Crystal Globe. Her achievements mark a standout year in competitive snowboarding. Choi dominated the FIS Snowboard World Cup this season. She took first place in the women's park and pipe standings, finishing with 300 points. Three halfpipe World Cup victories also earned her the women's halfpipe Crystal Globe.
Her success continued at the Olympics, where she won gold in snowboarding. After the Games, Choi stepped back from World Cup competition to prioritise recovery. The cancellation of the season-ending slopestyle events in Silvaplana, Switzerland, due to poor weather further cemented her top ranking. With these wins, Choi follows in the footsteps of Lee Sang-ho, the only other Korean rider to secure a season title on the FIS World Cup circuit. She now joins a select group of eight women who have won the park and pipe Crystal Globe since 2007. Reflecting on her accomplishments, Choi expressed pride in winning both the Olympic gold and the Crystal Globe in the same season.
Choi's victories set new benchmarks in Korean snowboarding. She is the first from her country to claim the Overall Snowboard Crystal Globe. Her season performance and Olympic gold highlight her position as a leading athlete in the sport.
