Chloe Kim entered the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics as the undisputed favorite in women’s snowboard halfpipe. On Wednesday, February 11, she delivered exactly what the world expected, topping the qualifiers with a flawless run that blended technical precision, massive amplitude, and her trademark style. Her score of 95.75 put her well ahead of the field, including strong challengers from Japan, China, and the United States. The performance reinforced her status as one of the most dominant athletes in Olympic snowboarding history and positioned her perfectly to achieve something unprecedented: three consecutive gold medals in the same event.
No snowboarder—male or female—has ever won the same discipline at three straight Winter Games. Kim already claimed gold in PyeongChang 2018 at age 17 and repeated the feat in Beijing 2022 with a dominant showing despite intense pressure and the unique challenges of a pandemic-delayed cycle. Now, at 25, she stands on the brink of etching her name alongside the greatest multi-medalists in Winter Olympic history. Her qualifiers run featured a frontside 1080, backside 900, and a clean switch 900, executed with the effortless flow that has defined her career. Commentators noted her calmness under pressure, especially after a minor stumble in practice earlier in the week.
What made the moment even more special for American viewers was the presence of a very familiar face in the athlete support area. Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku—known for his explosive athleticism on the football field—was spotted courtside, wearing a Team USA jacket and cheering enthusiastically during Kim’s run. Njoku, who grew up in New Jersey but has become a beloved figure in Cleveland, has developed a close friendship with Kim over the past few years through shared representation by the same sports agency and mutual admiration for each other’s work ethic.
The connection traces back to 2023 when Njoku attended a snowboarding exhibition event in Colorado where Kim was performing. The two struck up a conversation about mental preparation, handling pressure, and balancing elite competition with personal life. Since then, they have stayed in touch, exchanging messages of encouragement during their respective seasons. Njoku has publicly called Kim “one of the most impressive athletes I’ve ever met,” praising her ability to stay composed in high-stakes moments. For her part, Kim has worn Browns gear during off-season training sessions and shouted out Njoku after big games.
Njoku’s presence in Milan Cortina carries extra meaning for Browns fans. The team is in the midst of its offseason, and many players are scattered across the globe supporting other sports or enjoying well-earned breaks. Seeing one of Cleveland’s biggest stars traveling to Italy to support an American Olympian created a rare cross-sport moment that united Browns Nation behind a different kind of champion. Social media quickly lit up with Browns fans posting photos of Njoku in the stands, captions ranging from “Big Dave supporting our snowboard queen!” to “Browns pride goes beyond football!”
Kim acknowledged the support after her qualifier win. In a brief interview with NBC Olympics, she smiled and said, “Seeing familiar faces always helps. David has been so supportive—he sent me a text this morning saying ‘Go get that three-peat.’ It means a lot.” The comment drew cheers from the American contingent and added a warm personal layer to what is otherwise an intense competition.
The road to gold won’t be easy. Japan’s Kokomo Murase, silver medalist in Beijing, posted the second-best qualifying score and has shown remarkable consistency. China’s Cai Xuetong and American teammates like Maddie Mastro and Berenice Wicki also remain dangerous. Kim will need to elevate her difficulty in the finals—possibly attempting a frontside double cork 1260 or perfecting her cab double cork 1080—to separate herself. Weather forecasts for the finals predict clear skies and ideal conditions, which should allow athletes to push their limits.
Beyond the competition, Kim’s pursuit carries cultural weight. As a Korean-American athlete, she has long spoken about representing both her heritage and her country. Her success has inspired a new generation of Asian-American winter sports athletes, and a third gold would further cement her as one of the most accomplished Olympians of her era.
For Browns fans, Njoku’s presence adds a layer of hometown pride to the Olympic narrative. In a city that lives and breathes sports, seeing one of their own cheering on another American champion creates a feel-good crossover story. Whether Kim completes the three-peat or not, the image of Njoku rising to his feet after her qualifier run has already become a highlight of the Games for Cleveland.
As the final approaches, all eyes will be on Kim—and on the stands where a familiar Cleveland face will be watching every run. The quest for history continues, backed by friendship, fandom, and the simple power of showing up for someone who inspires you.
