Korean snowboarder Kim Sang-Gyeom, at 37 years old, captured a silver medal in the men’s slopestyle event at the FIS Snowboard World Cup in Livigno, Italy, marking a pivotal step toward his Olympic dreams.
Thrilling Final Run Secures Silver
Kim delivered a standout performance in the qualification rounds for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. In the first run of the final, he trailed gold medalist Benny Karl of Austria by just 0.19 points. He narrowed the gap to 0.1 points in the second run before unleashing a powerful final run that clinched the silver.
Advancing from the 8th seed in the 16-rider field, Kim overcame Slovenia’s Yan Kosir in the 16s, dispatched Italy’s Roland Fischnaller in the 8s, and secured his podium spot despite a challenging quarterfinal against Bulgaria’s Terbel Jampirofu, whom he defeated by 0.23 points.
Veteran’s Resilience Shines Through
This silver marks Kim’s fourth Olympic appearance and comes after nine World Cup podium finishes and three prior Olympic outings without a medal. Despite his age, Kim remains a top contender, ranking ninth in the World Cup standings and earning quota spots for major events like the 2021 World Championships and recent China World Cup seasons.
“This is my fourth Olympics,” Kim stated post-event. “Even if the Olympics pass, real competition matters. After tasting success inside, I want to chase the dream with solid results.”
Personal Drive and National Pride
Kim, the oldest active Korean Olympic snowboarder, shared his journey on social media, highlighting a KBS documentary ‘Dream High’ that captured his passion. “The fourth Olympics will bring a big medal inside,” he affirmed, expressing gratitude for moments that fuel his fire.
Overcoming injuries and a year-long hiatus after becoming a father in July 2023, Kim logged over 200 training days. His determination positions him as Korea’s prime medal hope in slopestyle, inspiring fans with unwavering spirit.
“Olympics pull me back every time, no matter what,” Kim reflected. “Even without wins or podiums before, I’ve returned stronger. Representing Korea fills me with pride for the next Olympics.”
