🏂 Behind Choi Ga-on's Tearful Fighting Spirit & Figure Skaters Lim/Quan Place 15th at Worlds! ⛸️ - 2026.03.29🏂 Behind Choi Ga-on's Tearful Fighting Spirit & Figure Skaters Lim/Quan Place 15th at Worlds! ⛸️ - 2026.03.29

Hello, fans! It's Milano Wonjeong-reo! 🇮🇹✨ I bet you all still remember the overwhelming emotions left by the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, right? Today, I've brought plenty of news that will make our hearts race again. Shall we dive right in? 🚀

🏂 'I Don't Care If I Die Here' - Choi Ga-on's Great Proof

Choi Ga-on, who won the gold medal with an overwhelming 90.25 points in the women's snowboard halfpipe at last month's Milano Olympics! ^[1] The tearful fighting spirit hidden behind that miraculous gold medal was revealed in detail through an interview with US CNN on the 27th ^[1].

When she lost her balance and fell during the second jump of her first run, the situation was so serious that 'DNS (Did Not Start)' appeared on the broadcast screen ^[1]. In fact, Choi Ga-on had major surgery in 2024 to insert 6 iron pins into her back due to a spinal fracture, and she was already heavily injured with 3 bottom bones fractured from the crash at the Olympic venue ^[1].

However, Choi Ga-on said she grabbed her board again with the mindset of, 'If I give up this short moment, I felt like I would live in a prison of regret for the rest of my life,' and 'Even if I die here, I will leave my last attempt to heaven,' even while crying all the way back up the slope ^[1]. Isn't it a truly tear-jerking warrior's epic? 😭 Overcoming the pain, she ultimately delivered a perfect performance in her final third run to stand at the top of the podium ^[1].

Furthermore, today on the 29th, with the official announcement from the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), she was crowned the World Cup season champion, becoming the first Korean to hold the 'Crystal Globe' ^[4]. Let's give a big round of applause to Choi Ga-on, who completed a flawless 'perfect season' following her Olympic gold! 👏 ^[3]

⛸️ Lim Hannah & Ye Quan, a Splendid Flight to 15th at the World Championships!

We can't leave out the news from the 2026 ISU World Championships held in Prague, Czech Republic! The pride of Korean figure skating ice dance, the duo of Lim Hannah and Ye Quan, advanced to the free dance and finished the tournament in 15th place overall ^[2].

The two athletes received 108.99 points in the free dance, recording a total score of 178.82 points ^[2]. In February at the Milano Olympics, they unfortunately couldn't step on the free dance stage after placing 22nd in the rhythm dance, but in this competition, they successfully advanced to the free skate, showing growth by recording a higher ranking than last year's World Championships (18th) ^[2]. It was so cool to see them cleanly execute various elements like the rotational lift at level 4! ^[2]

Meanwhile, in the men's singles, the 'God of Quads' Ilia Malinin of the USA achieved his 3rd consecutive World Championship title with a total score of 329.40 points ^[2]. He swallowed his disappointment at the Milano Olympics, finishing in 8th place due to jumping struggles, but completely redeemed his honor in this tournament by successfully landing five quadruple jumps ^[2]. The silver and bronze medals were taken by Japan's Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato, who were 2nd and 3rd at the Olympics, respectively ^[2].

Seeing the sweat shed on the Olympic stage bear greater fruit at the World Championships and World Cup makes Milano Wonjeong-reo so proud! You'll keep cheering for our athletes who gave us such overwhelming emotions, right? I'll be back next week with more packed news! Bye~ 👋

📰 Reference News (5)

1

“I Don't Care If I Die Here”… Choi Ga-on's Desperate Fight, Moved the World with an 'Indomitable' Heart

네이버뉴스 · 2026.03.29

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2

Choi Ga-on Confirmed as Snowboard World Cup Season Champion Following the Olympics

네이버뉴스 · 2026.03.29

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3

[Official Announcement] Big Event in Korean Snow Sports! Choi Ga-on 'Undoubted World Best' FIS Official Recognition → Olympic Gold + Crystal Globe 'Perfect Season' Completed

네이버뉴스 · 2026.03.29

📰 View original

4

Figure Ice Dance Lim/Quan 15th at World Championships… Malinin Wins 3rd Consecutive Men's Single Title

네이버뉴스 · 2026.03.29

📰 View original

5

Figure Skaters Lim/Quan, Final 15th in Ice Dance at World Championships

네이버뉴스 · 2026.03.29

📰 View original