Seoul: Teen snowboarder Choi Gaon captured her first World Cup title of the season in the women's halfpipe in China on Friday, after staging a massive comeback in her second of two attempts. Choi finished first with 92.75 points at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Snowboard World Cup in Zhangjiakou, 2.50 points ahead of Rise Kudo of Japan. Cai Xuetong of China completed the podium, finishing third with 80.50 points.

According to Yonhap News Agency, this was Choi's first World Cup victory since December 2023 and augurs well for her medal prospects at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February. Choi, 17, initially led the qualification stage with 93.00 points earlier in the week, but only managed 23.75 points in her first run of the final. At that point, Choi found herself in last place, as three competitors below her had surpassed her initial score with their second runs.

In a dramatic turn, Choi delivered an outstanding performance in her second run, achieving the highest score of the final to secure her comeback victory. The snowboarding community now eagerly anticipates the next World Cup stop in Copper Mountain, Colorado, scheduled for next week.