Cha Jun-hwan Clinches Spot for 2026 Milan Winter Olympics

A new chapter in South Korean figure skating is being written. Star skater Cha Jun-hwan has secured his place for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, marking his third consecutive appearance at the Games.

Cha Jun-hwan 2026 Milan Winter Olympics: Overcoming Injury and Equipment Woes

According to Yonhap News, Cha Jun-hwan claimed the men's singles title at the 80th National Figure Skating Championships on January 4, 2026. He finished with a total score of 277.84 points at the Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul. With a combined total of 533.56 points across two qualifying legs, he topped the standings to lead the South Korean delegation to Italy.

Cha's path to his third Olympics wasn't easy. He's been battling persistent ankle issues and a grueling struggle with his skating boots, having gone through over a dozen pairs in just three months. To ensure qualification, he opted for a safer program layout, reducing the number of high-risk quadruple jumps. "I'll focus on building more strength and perfecting my programs before Milan," Cha said after his victory.

New Stars and Emotional Comebacks: The Full Olympic Squad

In the women's singles, rising star Shin Ji-a dominated the field with a combined score of 436.09 points, earning her senior Olympic debut. Joining her is Lee Hae-in, who secured the second spot after a dramatic turnaround. Lee's inclusion follows a period of legal turmoil over disciplinary actions, which were eventually halted by a court injunction, allowing her to make an emotional return to the national team.

The team also includes 19-year-old Kim Hyun-gyeom, who finished second in the men's trials, and the ice dance duo of Hannah Lim and Quan Ye. Notably, several top performers like Seo Min-kyu were ineligible due to the ISU's age requirement, which mandates skaters be at least 17 years old by July 2025.