South Korean figure skating standout Cha Jun-hwan has earned selection for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics team event men’s singles, marking his third straight Olympic outing.
Key Selection Event
Officials confirmed Cha’s participation following a competitive showcase at the AC Milan Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, scheduled for February 8 at 3:45 a.m. KST. He placed fifth in the national team rankings for this discipline.
Other top entrants include Kevin Aymoz of France, Nika Egadze of Georgia, Yuma Kagiyama of Japan, and Ilia Malinin of the United States, with China’s Jin Boyang leading the field.
Proven Olympic Pedigree
Cha follows in the footsteps of Jeong Seo-il, the only prior Korean men’s singles skater to compete in multiple Olympics (1988 Calgary, 1992 Albertville, and 1994 Lillehammer). Cha notched 15th place in men’s singles at the 2018 PyeongChang Games and podiumed fifth at Beijing 2022.
This achievement positions him as the first Korean to reach three consecutive Winter Olympics in the discipline.
Strategic Value and Athlete Insights
The Milan event offers prime preparation for the team competition, building experience ahead of individual races. Organizers view it as a chance to boost international participation.
Cha remarked, “Level differences exist among elite adults, but adapting to them is my responsibility and duty to the nation. Even without chasing medals, I must deliver.”
He continued, “I’ve raced extensively, even in minor events, to maximize performance, adapt effectively, and refine my timing.”
Analysts expect this platform to validate Cha’s training regimen for upcoming individual contests, signaling potential breakthroughs.
