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| Kim Sang-gyeom and his wife Park Han-sol / Photo by Kwon Kwang-il |
[Incheon International Airport] South Korean snowboarder Kim Sang-gyeom, who clinched the nation’s first medal at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, expressed heartfelt gratitude and remorse to his wife upon his return home.
Kim touched down at Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 1 on February 10, alongside his snowboarding alpine teammates Lee Sang-ho, Jo Wan-hee, and Jeong Hae-rim.
Sporting his hard-earned silver medal, Kim emerged from the arrivals hall with a beaming smile, acknowledging the warm reception. A throng of well-wishers, including his wife Park Han-sol, family members, journalists, and airport patrons, gathered to celebrate his triumphant homecoming.
Kim’s silver medal came in the men’s parallel giant slalom event at the Snowpark in Livigno, Italy, on February 8. After falling short in his previous three Olympic outings – 17th in Sochi 2014, 15th in Pyeongchang 2018, and 24th in Beijing 2022 – Kim finally realized his Olympic dream on his fourth attempt.
This victory not only marked South Korea’s first medal of the Games but also represented the nation’s 400th Olympic medal overall.
Kim’s path to the podium was far from smooth. He initially placed a disappointing 18th in the first qualifying round, jeopardizing his chances of advancing to the round of 16. However, he rallied impressively in the second round, securing 8th place and a spot in the tournament.
Once in the knockout stages, Kim was unstoppable. He dispatched Slovenia’s Zan Kosir in the round of 16, Italy’s Roland Fischnaller in the quarterfinals, and Bulgaria’s Terbel Zampirov in the semifinals to guarantee himself a medal.
Although he fell to Austria’s Benjamin Karl in the gold medal match, Kim stood proudly on the podium with his silver, a testament to his perseverance and skill.
Kim’s deep bow during the medal ceremony caught the attention of many, as did his emotional interview with broadcasters where he tearfully expressed gratitude to his wife.
At the airport, Kim’s appreciation for his wife was palpable. Clutching a bouquet adorned with the South Korean flag that she had prepared, he remarked, “I’ve never received such a meaningful bouquet before. It’s truly touching and makes me so happy.”
Park Han-sol, wearing the silver medal her husband had placed around her neck, shared, “This medal means more than any gift. It still feels surreal. I’m overjoyed that all his hard work and dedication have culminated in this precious achievement.”
Reflecting on his journey, Kim recalled, “After my poor performance in Beijing, I broke down crying during a video call with my wife, who was then my girlfriend. I vowed not to cry again, but seeing her face now, with this medal, I’m overwhelmed with emotion. I feel immense gratitude and a sense of redemption.”
In his closing remarks, Kim said, “I’m sorry for the long wait, but I’m relieved to finally bring home a medal. I want to express my deepest gratitude and love to everyone who supported me.”
[Sports Today Reporter Lee Sang-pil sports@stoo.com]
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