Chloe Kim seems to shake off the fear of injury pretty quickly.
This morning, the American snowboarder pulled off a fantastic first run during the women’s halfpipe qualifying for the upcoming Winter Olympics, scoring an impressive 90.25.
Only a little over a month ago, she dislocated her shoulder while training in Switzerland, which put her participation in the Milan-Cortina Olympics in doubt.
At 25, Kim had a bit of a tough moment in her first attempt when she climbed one side of the halfpipe but fell due to her board getting caught in the snow.
Not long after, doctors confirmed she had torn the labrum in her left shoulder. Yet, she announced that she’d still be able to compete at the Olympics.
“I feel good. I’m happy to be here,” Kim shared with Olympic.com. “There’s definitely a lot of pressure, but the Olympics are special with so much global support.”
As a two-time Olympic champion in the women’s halfpipe, Kim is looking to secure a third consecutive title in Thursday’s final. If she succeeds, she’ll be the first athlete ever to win three Olympic halfpipe golds in a row.
Based on Monday’s performance, it looks like Kim has a solid lead over her competitors.
She secured a spot in the top three, finishing ahead of Japan’s Sara Shimizu (87.50 points) and her fellow American, Maddie Mastro (86.00 points). Another American, Bee Kim (not related), qualified in 10th place with 76.75 points.
During the qualifying rounds, celebrated snowboarder Shaun White was present at the Livigno Snow Park, cheering Kim on as she aims for her third gold medal.
Kicking off a supportive atmosphere, Kim’s boyfriend, Myles Garrett—who was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2025—was there snapping photos of her momentous day.
Garrett expressed his support to People, stating he was “just trying to be her rock” during these Olympic games. “Because she’s mine all year long.” They began dating in May 2025, and their relationship became public in November when they were seen sharing a kiss on the sidelines during a Browns game.
