Kim Sang-kyum’s Journey from Pyeongchang to Olympic Glory: What It Means for Winter Sports in Korea

We’re proud. It’s a big deal for our town. Time to celebrate!
Kim Sang-gyeom, a 37-year-old snowboarder from Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, clinched silver in the men’s snowboard parallel giant slalom at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Residents of his hometown, Bongpyeong-myeon, are overflowing with pride and congratulations.

Kang Seok-hoon, head of the Bongpyeong-myeon Village Council, told News1 on the 10th, “This is huge for our community. Kim Sang-gyeom is our hometown hero. He’s been shredding since he was a kid, and we couldn’t be prouder. Bongpyeong-myeon is in full celebration mode right now.”

True to Kang’s words, banners reading “Pride of Korea, Pride of Bongpyeong” and “Kim Sang-gyeom’s Silver Medal Triumph” now adorn the town. Kang added, “We’ve plastered congratulatory banners everywhere – storefronts, community boards, you name it.”

He continued, “We’re planning a welcome bash with the Village Council and Kim’s local crew. We’re thinking he might swing by during Lunar New Year, so we might time it around then.” Kang also mentioned, “This is a win for our winter sports community. Some folks are even floating the idea of a Kim Sang-gyeom Park.”

Locals have long believed in Kim’s Olympic potential, citing his early promise, his birth in an auspicious location, and his family’s deep roots in winter sports.

Reflecting on this, Kang said, “Kim was born near Pyeongchang Phoenix Park. His dad runs a ski rental shop in Pyeongchang – winter sports are in their blood.” He added, “Kim went through school here in Bongpyeong and was a key member of the local snowboard club.”

Reports indicate that Kim caught the winter sports bug in middle school, picking up snowboarding. After graduating from Bongpyeong High, he enrolled at Korea National Sport University and soon found himself on the national team, a perfect fit for the Olympic city of Pyeongchang.

But Kim’s path wasn’t all smooth sailing. He faced the grind of balancing work and training due to a lack of pro teams, before finally landing a spot with High1.

All that hustle paid off as Kim emerged an Olympic hero. On the 9th, he bagged South Korea’s first medal of the games and the nation’s historic 400th Olympic medal. Kim touched down at Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 10th, greeted by family and fans bearing flowers.

Kim shared, “I thought I might tear up seeing my family after medaling on such a big stage, but I’m just feeling pumped and excited.” His father, Kim Young-guk, chimed in with gratitude, “This is all thanks to the incredible support from our fellow Koreans.”