Posting exam images on social media with "three fractures"
News has emerged that Choi Gaon (18, Sehwa Girls' High School), who won the first-ever gold medal for Korea in a snow event at the Winter Olympics after overcoming injury at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games, has been diagnosed with three fractures.
Choi Gaon, who won the gold medal in the women's snowboard halfpipe at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, posted hospital checkup photos on social media. Yangpyeong-gun, Choi Gaon Instagram
On the 19th, Choi Gaon posted hospital checkup photos on her Instagram along with the short phrase "3 fractures." This indicates that she has three fractures. Although she did not provide any further details, it is being suggested that the fractures may have resulted from injuries sustained during the competition.
On the 13th, at the women's snowboard halfpipe final held at the Livigno Snowpark in Italy, Choi Gaon pulled off a dramatic comeback to claim the gold medal.
Choi Gaon took a hard fall during the landing of her first run and was in a serious situation, unable to get up for some time. Just before her second run, the scoreboard briefly showed "DNS (Did Not Start)," and there was talk of her withdrawing, but Choi Gaon did not give up and returned to the competition.
Describing the situation at the time, she said, "My coach advised me to withdraw, saying I was in no condition to walk, but I grit my teeth and tried to see if I could walk," adding, "I tried to move my foot by putting strength into my toes first, and fortunately I was able to compete again."
Choi Gaon fell once more on her second run and was in 11th place out of 12 athletes, but she scripted a comeback in her final third run. Enduring the pain and delivering a flawless performance, she scored 90.25 points in her third run, surpassing Chloe Kim (88.00 points) and Ono Mitsuki of Japan (85.00 points) to finally take the gold medal.
She became the first athlete ever to win a Winter Olympic gold medal for Korea in a snow event. Reaching the top at the age of 17 years and 3 months, she also broke the record for the youngest Olympic gold medalist in this event, which had been set by Chloe Kim at the Pyeongchang Games in 2018.
However, Choi Gaon was seen limping even as she moved toward the podium. After returning to Korea on the 16th, she said at Incheon International Airport, "My knee is much better now," and added, "I plan to undergo a detailed examination at the hospital."
As news of her fractures spread, messages of support poured in online, with comments such as "indomitable will" and "her mental strength to endure the pain and win the gold medal is astonishing."
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