Cha Jun-hwan Secures 2026 Winter Olympics Berth Amid Boot Struggles

Against the odds of nagging injuries and equipment failure, South Korea's figure skating ace Cha Jun-hwan has punched his ticket to a third straight Winter Games. He's set to lead the national squad to Italy next month, proving that resilience is just as vital as technical skill.

Cha Jun-hwan 2026 Winter Olympics Qualification Confirmed

According to Yonhap News, Cha dominated the 80th National Figure Skating Championships on Sunday, finishing with a total score of 277.84 points. This victory secured his spot as the top qualifier for the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics. He's now the second South Korean male skater in history to compete in three consecutive Olympics, following in the footsteps of Jung Sung-il.

Overcoming the 'Dozen Boots' Crisis

Cha's journey to Milan was anything but smooth. He's been battling persistent ankle issues and a bizarre struggle to find the right equipment. "I went through at least a dozen pairs of skates over a three-month period," Cha revealed after his performance. These issues forced him to simplify his programs, prioritizing clean execution over high-risk quadruple jumps to ensure his qualification.

The Full Roster: Shin Ji-a and Lee Hae-in Join the Fray

The women's singles event saw 17-year-old sensation Shin Ji-a claim the national title with 436.09 points combined from two trials. She'll be joined by Lee Hae-in, who secured the second Olympic spot after a dramatic comeback following a previously overturned suspension. In the men's singles, 19-year-old Kim Hyun-gyeom earned his debut Olympic berth, while Hannah Lim and Quan Ye will represent the nation in ice dance.