Asian Athletes Provide Defining Moments at Winter Games
By James Moreau | 18 Feb, 2026

From historic podium sweeps to record-breaking gold medals, Asian athletes are making headlines at Milano Cortina’s 2026 Winter Olympics.

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games have shone a brilliant spotlight on Asian athletic excellence.

Capturing gold in Team Figure Skating for the United States was a roster full of Asian Americans including Madison Chock, Alysa Liu, and Ellie Kam.  This victory accounts for one of the six U.S. gold medals, third best in the overall standings.

In men’s hockey, Canada’s Nick Suzuki scored in his debut against the Czech Republic. Canada has routed all three of its opponents remaining undefeated alongside the U.S.  Both teams are now on a collision course for the marquee gold medal game on February 22, the final day of the Milano Cortina Games.

Representing China, Eileen Gu earned two silver medals in Women’s Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air.  The San Francisco native accounts for two of China’s five total medals.

Japan provided a major highlight of the games when Ikuma Horishima skied over the finish line backwards to secure silver.  Snowboarder Kira Kimura claimed gold in the men’s big air event bringing Japan’s tally to four golds and 18 total medals, both the highest of any Asian nation.

Chloe Kim’s bid for a three-peat in the Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe fell just short, but her silver medal for the U.S. tied the record for the most medals in the event’s history.  Korea’s Gaon Choi earned gold becoming the youngest snowboarding gold medalist ever at age 17.  Mitsuki Ono took home the bronze for Japan, completing the first-ever all-Asian podium for the women’s snowboard halfpipe.