Cha Jun-hwan 2026 Winter Olympics Qualification: A Third Consecutive Ticket to History

He went through 12 pairs of skates in just three months. South Korea's figure skating ace Cha Jun-hwan has secured his spot for the 2026 Winter Olympics, overcoming persistent injuries and equipment struggles.

On January 4, 2026, Cha claimed the men's singles title at the 80th National Figure Skating Championships in Seoul. With a total score of 277.84, he officially qualified for his third consecutive Games, joining Jung Sung-il as the only South Korean male skater to achieve this feat.

Cha Jun-hwan 2026 Winter Olympics: Overcoming Adversity for Milan

The road to Milan hasn't been easy for the 24-year-old skater. Battling nagging ankle issues and a nightmare with his boots, Cha opted for a safer program during the trials. He reduced his usual repertoire of quadruple jumps, attempting only one per program to ensure stability. "I am happy to be returning to the Olympics after all the skate problems I've had," Cha said after his victory.

Joining the Team: Kim Hyun-gyeom and Lim-Ye

Cha will be joined in Italy by Kim Hyun-gyeom, the 19-year-old 2024 Winter Youth Olympics champion, who finished second in the trials. In ice dance, the duo Hannah Lim and Quan Ye secured their first Olympic ticket together, representing South Korea with a score of 188.29.