SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) -Asian athletes continued to command attention on the eighth day of competition at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, highlighted by South Korean snowboarder Choi Ga-on’s landmark gold medal and podium finishes by skaters from China and Japan.
Choi delivered the defining moment of the day in the women’s snowboard halfpipe final. After qualifying in sixth place, she rose to the occasion with a decisive final run, scoring 90.25 points to claim gold.
American favorite Chloe Kim, who had topped qualification, settled for silver with 88.00, while Japan’s Ono Mitsuki surged from 11th in qualifying to take bronze with 85.00. The halfpipe final emerged as the day’s standout Asian showcase.
In short track speed skating, China’s Sun Long claimed silver in the men’s 1,000 meters, while South Korea’s Rim Jong-un secured bronze in 1 minute 24.611.
Gold went to the Netherlands’ Jens van ’t Wout, who clocked 1 minute 24.537. Rim’s podium finish added to Korea’s tally, reinforcing its depth in short track competition.
In curling, South Korea’s women’s team — Gim Eun-ji, Kim Min-ji, Kim Su-ji, Seol Ye-eun and Seol Ye-ji — fell 4-8 to the United States in round-robin play before rebounding with a 7-2 victory over host nation Italy.
As of Day 8, Japan stands 10th overall in the medal table with two gold, two silver and six bronze medals. South Korea ranks 11th with one gold, one silver and two bronze, while China sits 16th with two silver and two bronze.
Choi’s triumph in Livigno, which stole the Olympic spotlight, also marked a turning point in South Korea’s winter sports history. Long dominant in skating disciplines, the country is now expanding its presence in snow events, signaling a broader and more balanced Olympic profile.
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