In a display of resilience and skill that captivated spectators, snowboarder Chloe Kim secured the top position in the women’s halfpipe qualifiers at the 2026 Winter Olympics this Wednesday. Observing her performance from the stands was her partner, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who later celebrated her achievement on social media.
Garrett utilized his Instagram platform to share video footage of Kim’s commanding run, which earned a score of 90.25 points. This result positioned her almost three full points ahead of her closest competitor, Japan’s Sara Shimizu, who finished in second place. The victory marks a significant step for Kim as she progresses to the final round scheduled for Thursday.
A Triumph Over Adversity
Kim’s performance was particularly noteworthy given the physical challenge she recently overcame. Just last month, the athlete sustained a torn labrum, an injury that could have jeopardized her Olympic campaign. Defying expectations, however, she executed a technically demanding inverted backside 720 with apparent ease during her qualifying run, demonstrating no visible effects from the setback.
As the two-time defending Olympic gold medalist in the halfpipe event, Kim entered these Games under immense pressure to perform. Her dominant showing in the qualifiers, witnessed firsthand by Garrett, not only reaffirms her status as the favorite but also sets the stage for a highly anticipated final where she will aim to secure a historic third consecutive gold medal.