Chloe Kim Favored Over Gaon Choi in Olympic Women's Halfpipe Final

The two-time defending champion is the heavy favorite, but her 14-year-old rival aims to make history.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Chloe Kim, the two-time defending Olympic champion in the Women's Snowboard Halfpipe, is the heavy favorite to win gold again at the 2026 Winter Games. However, her 14-year-old rival Gaon Choi, who broke one of Kim's records by becoming the youngest woman to win X Games gold, is aiming to become the first Korean female athlete to medal in snow sports.

Why it matters

This matchup between the established star and the up-and-coming prodigy sets up an exciting showdown in the Olympic women's halfpipe final. Kim is looking to cement her legacy as the face of the sport, while Choi has a chance to make history and inspire a new generation of Korean winter athletes.

The details

Prediction market Kalshi puts Kim's chances to win the event at 66%, making her the decisive favorite. Choi's probability is listed at 23%, well ahead of the third-favorite, Sara Shimizu of Japan at 7%. Kim, 25, won gold at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics when she was just 17 years old. Choi, now 14, broke one of Kim's records by becoming the youngest woman to win X Games gold in the halfpipe.

  • The women's snowboard halfpipe final will take place on Thursday afternoon.
  • Kim won gold medals at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics.

The players

Chloe Kim

The 25-year-old American snowboarder is the two-time defending Olympic champion in the women's halfpipe event and is the heavy favorite to win gold again in 2026.

Gaon Choi

The 14-year-old South Korean snowboarder is aiming to become the first Korean female athlete to win a medal in snow sports. She broke one of Kim's records by becoming the youngest woman to win X Games gold in the halfpipe.

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What’s next

The women's snowboard halfpipe final will take place on Thursday afternoon, where Chloe Kim will look to defend her Olympic title against her 14-year-old rival Gaon Choi.

The takeaway

This matchup between the established star Chloe Kim and the up-and-coming prodigy Gaon Choi sets up an exciting showdown in the Olympic women's halfpipe final. Kim is the heavy favorite, but Choi has a chance to make history and inspire a new generation of Korean winter athletes.