(C) The Herald Journal
LIVIGNO, Italy — In the high-altitude chill of the Livigno Snow Park, as the sun glinted off the fresh alpine powder on February 8, 2026, a 37-year-old veteran achieved what many deemed impossible. Kim Sang-kyum, the "eldest brother" of South Korean snowboarding, captured a stunning silver medal in the Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The medal is more than just a personal triumph; it is a milestone for South Korean sports history. This silver marks the nation’s first medal of the 2026 Games and the 400th Olympic medal ever won by South Korea.
President Lee Jae-myung extended his congratulations, stating, "After four challenges, he has finally stood on the Olympic podium. This will inspire immense courage and confidence in our entire delegation."
A Luck Greater Than Silver
Despite the historic weight of the medal, when reporters asked Kim if this was the luckiest day of his life, he didn't point to the silver disc around his neck. Instead, he spoke of his wife, Park Han-sol (31).
"Meeting my wife and getting married was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me," Kim said, his voice thick with emotion.
Their journey began in 2017. Park, who knew little about winter sports at the time, agreed to a blind date simply because she heard he was a "national athlete." To win her over, Kim took her to the slopes, explaining the mechanics of Alpine snowboarding—a race where the fastest down the hill wins—and demonstrating his skills on the snow.
Three Stages of Tears
The couple’s relationship has been defined by three distinct "Olympic tears":
PyeongChang 2018 (Tears of Regret): In their first year of dating, Park watched Kim compete at home. When he was eliminated in the round of 16, they cried together. It was then Park realized how much the Olympics meant to him.
Beijing 2022 (Tears of Sorrow): Kim had promised Park a medal, but he failed to reach the finals. During a heartbreaking video call, they wept in silence. Paradoxically, Park says this was the moment she decided to marry him. "I realized he was someone I could share my deepest sorrows with," she recalled.
Milano-Cortina 2026 (Tears of Joy): After marrying in 2023, Kim's career saw a late-blooming resurgence. Following his silver medal win, the couple shared another video call—which Park recorded. "The tears tasted sweet this time," she said.
The Technical Gamble
Kim’s success at age 37 wasn't just sentimental; it was tactical. This season, he took a significant risk by increasing his board length from 191cm to 195cm. While a longer board is harder to maneuver through turns, it offers superior top-end speed. It was a "high-risk, high-reward" strategy that allowed the veteran to overpower younger, more agile competitors on the icy Italian course.
From Construction Sites to the Podium
The road to the 400th medal was paved with hardship. Before joining the High1 Resort professional team in 2019, Kim worked part-time at construction sites to fund his own training. The stability of marriage and professional sponsorship allowed him to focus entirely on his fourth Olympic run.
As the 2026 Games continue, Kim Sang-kyum stands as a testament to the idea that it is never too late for a "miracle," provided you have the right person standing by your side.
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