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| Chloe Kim rushes to congratulate Gaon Choi, who won the halfpipe gold medal. |
Chloe Kim of the United States didn’t get her Olympic three-peat on Thursday, February 12, but she might have achieved something even more enduring -- a legacy.
Taking the silver medal with a score of 88.00, Kim proved she’s still "the baddest" in the game, competing just 34 days after a debilitating shoulder labrum tear. But the real story was who stood above her on the podium: 17-year-old Gaon Choi, the South Korean prodigy whom Kim has mentored for nearly a decade.
She’s my baby,” Kim said of Choi. “I’ve known her since she was so little.” They trained together in Mammoth Mountain with Kim often translating for Choi.
“But it’s really cool to see how much she’s progressed,” Kim said. “I met her when she literally started halfpipe snowboarding. Sometimes it feels like I’m seeing a mirror reflection of myself and my family."
When Choi surged ahead with a 90.25 to take the gold, Kim was the first to celebrate, calling it a "full-circle moment," recalling her own debut on the medals podium three Olympics ago.
She’s my baby,” Kim said of Choi. “I’ve known her since she was so little.” They trained together in Mammoth Mountain with Kim often translating for Choi.
“But it’s really cool to see how much she’s progressed,” Kim said. “I met her when she literally started halfpipe snowboarding. Sometimes it feels like I’m seeing a mirror reflection of myself and my family."
When Choi surged ahead with a 90.25 to take the gold, Kim was the first to celebrate, calling it a "full-circle moment," recalling her own debut on the medals podium three Olympics ago.
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Kim's preparation was severely limited by two shoulder dislocations in the four weeks leading up to the Games. She stated after the event that she was "so proud" to have competed and medaled despite the injury.
Beyond the 'model minority' trope
Like her decision to go for broke in her last run, Chloe Kim has refused to play it safe. During a week when political rhetoric in the US turned toward immigration crackdowns, she used her platform to defend teammate Hunter Hess after he was targeted for his views on immigration.
"Obviously, my parents being immigrants, this one definitely hits pretty close to home," Kim said, pointedly adding that "diversity is what makes us a very strong country." In a world that often demands Asian American excellence remain "invisible" and quiet, Kim’s refusal to stay silent is something she encourages her young followers to continue to speak out.
By honoring her roots and mentoring the next generation—including 18-year old Bea Kim, who placed 8th in the halfpipe and 16-year-old newcomer Thai American Lily Dhawornvej, placed 20th in the big air event and is scheduled to compete in her strongest event, slopestyle, Chloe Kim serves as a critical mentor for young Asian American athletes by directly addressing cultural barriers that often discourage participation in sports or impact the mental well-being of those in professional sports.
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| An all-Asian podium for the halfpipe competition. From left, Chloe Kim (US), Gaon Choi (South Korea) and Mitsuki Ono (Japan) took the bronze medal. |
Kim has been remarkably transparent about her "darkest spaces" and her need for intensive therapy following the 2022 Olympics. Mental health is often a taboo subject in Asian American communities due to cultural shame or the "collectivist" desire to hide symptoms from family and larger society.
In late 2025, she joined the "Love, Your Mind" Campaign, a major public service initiative to encourage young people to prioritize mental well-being. By normalizing these struggles, she helps the younger Asian athletes understand that mental health is a foundational part of athletic longevity.
Breaking stereotypes
Because of her success snowboarding she has busts the stereotype that casts Asian Americans as unathletic, encouraging the younger athletes that its OK to be pursue interests beyond the classroom.
Her dominant aathletic career and grit — competing in 2026 through a dislocated shoulder — shatters racist tropes that depict Asian bodies as "fragile" or unathletic.
Kim has used her platform at the 2026 Olympics to call for unity among athletes facing political or racial scrutiny, showing younger peers that they have a right to voice their opinions and do not need to remain "invisible" or "silent."
Her dominant aathletic career and grit — competing in 2026 through a dislocated shoulder — shatters racist tropes that depict Asian bodies as "fragile" or unathletic.
Kim has used her platform at the 2026 Olympics to call for unity among athletes facing political or racial scrutiny, showing younger peers that they have a right to voice their opinions and do not need to remain "invisible" or "silent."
Kim's statement on Choi's gold medal: "It's all about inspiring the next generation. It's all about passing the torch. There's no one else I would have rather stood next to on the podium than her. I'm so proud of her, and I'm so excited to see what she does next ... it was so inspirational."
Chloe Kim teaches that a win or loss does not define a person’s value. She teaches that true success is being content with who you are, rather than just what you achieve. She warns against tying your entire identity and self-worth to results. That lesson is more valuable than any medal.
Chloe Kim teaches that a win or loss does not define a person’s value. She teaches that true success is being content with who you are, rather than just what you achieve. She warns against tying your entire identity and self-worth to results. That lesson is more valuable than any medal.
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge.
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