In Milan, Italy, on February 20, 2026, 18-year-old Korean snowboarder Yu Seung-eun secured a bronze medal in the women’s big air event at the Snowboard World Cup. The young athlete, born in 2008, held a lively press conference afterward, flashing her medal and striking poses for photos while engaging warmly with reporters.
Trailblazing Achievements
Yu Seung-eun marked a historic moment as the first Korean woman to claim an Olympic spot in freestyle big air. Her bronze came after excelling in prior competitions. On February 10, she triumphed at the Livigno Snow Park big air, earning selection for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Earlier, at the Snowboard average general meeting on February 8, teammate Kim Sang-gyeom won gold, marking Korea’s second medal there. Yu scored 171.00 points across her first and second runs.
Just two days prior, on February 18, she finished third in the women’s slopestyle at Livigno, showcasing consistent form.
Training Focus and Olympic Aspirations
The youngest athlete selected for the Olympics, Yu plans to intensify training in Italy, entering camps through February 30 before heading to Livigno. “I’ll train hardest in Italy to sharpen my edge for the Games, but with vacation approaching, I want to return home,” she stated.
Down-to-Earth Personality Shines
Yu’s innocent charm captivated the press. Throngs of fans flocked to see her, limiting her outings. “So many people came out. I couldn’t even step outside properly,” she shared, adding, “Even with this popularity, there’s still room to grow.”
Addressing her competitive mindset, she emphasized effort over innate skill: “Top players have natural talent, but I’m a hardworking type who pushes through. I like approaching it that way.” On nerves, she revealed, “I don’t get competition anxiety. Being at a snowboard camp just felt right—no real ambition there.”
She joked about momentum carrying her forward, quipping, “Even bronze medalists can’t blame momentum entirely.” Regarding home comforts, Yu confessed her top craving: “Gukbap. I miss sundae gukbap, gamjatang, and kimchi jjigae most.”
Without performance pressure, she stays grounded: “No big nerves in crowds. I get excited at home with family cheers.” Her passion fuels steady progress as Korea’s rising freestyle star eyes Olympic glory.
