Livigno: Korean American snowboarder and two-time Olympic champion Chloe Kim, at 25 years old, finds herself reflecting on her journey as she observes the rise of 17-year-old South Korean snowboarder Choi Gaon. Kim, who has become an iconic figure in snowboarding, expressed her sentiments on seeing Choi evolve into a formidable medal contender, making her feel unexpectedly older.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim shared her thoughts during a press conference for the U.S. snowboard halfpipe team at Livigno Snow Park, located approximately 230 kilometers north of Milan, in preparation for the Milan-Cortina Winter Games. "I love Gaon so much. I've known her since she was a very small child. Seeing her at this big stage is such a full-circle moment," Kim remarked. She recounted her memories of meeting Choi when she first began her journey in halfpipe snowboarding and noted the remarkable progress Choi has made since then.
Kim is preparing to make history by attempting to become the first snowboarder to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals. Her journey took a challenging turn in January when she sustained a torn labrum in her left shoulder during training. Despite this setback, Kim has returned to practice and is ready to compete, with the Olympics in northern Italy marking her first competition of the season. Meanwhile, Choi Gaon has made her mark by winning three World Cup titles this season, positioning herself as a strong competitor.
Kim acknowledged the peculiar circumstances leading to her first competition of the season being the Olympics, but she maintains an optimistic outlook. "It's kind of crazy that my first of the season is the Olympics, but we'll figure it out," she stated. Despite the challenges posed by her shoulder injury, Kim remains focused on her goals, describing how the limitation has inadvertently improved her riding technique.
Reflecting on her past experiences and the cultural shifts in snow sports, Kim shared, "We're seeing a big shift to Asians being dominant in snow sports. It's cool to see that shift happening." As Kim prepares to defend her title, she draws inspiration from the next generation of snowboarders, including Choi, who remind her of her own beginnings and the evolving landscape of the sport.