On a brisk February evening at the Milan Ice Skating Arena, the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics witnessed a performance that will be etched in the annals of Korean figure skating. Cha Jun-hwan, already a household name in South Korea, took to the ice on February 13th (local time) with a mission: to push the boundaries of what Korean male skaters have achieved on the Olympic stage. And did he ever deliver, even if the podium remained just out of reach.
Cha’s journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable. From a 15th-place finish in his Olympic debut at PyeongChang 2018, to a breakthrough 5th place in Beijing 2022, he has consistently rewritten the record books for Korean men’s singles. This time, he soared even higher, clinching 4th place with a total score of 273.92 points—just 0.98 shy of the bronze medal, which went to Japan’s Shun Sato.
Breaking down the numbers, Cha earned 95.16 points for technical elements (TES) and 87.04 for program components (PCS) in the free skate, with a single-point deduction, totaling 181.20 for the segment. Combined with his short program score of 92.72, he set a new personal and national best at the Olympics. The margin between Cha and the podium was razor-thin, a testament to the fierce competition and his own consistency.
Stepping onto the ice as the first skater in the fourth group, Cha performed to the haunting strains of “Balada para un Loco.” The crowd watched with bated breath as he nailed his opening quadruple Salchow, drawing a wave of applause from the stands. However, the next element—a quadruple toe loop—proved challenging. He lost his balance, crashing to the ice and incurring a costly deduction. But if there’s one thing Cha has shown over the years, it’s resilience.
Shaking off the fall, he rebounded with a crisp triple Lutz-triple loop combination and a solid triple Axel. His composure never wavered, and throughout the second half of his program—where jumps earn a 10% bonus—he executed every element with the poise of a seasoned veteran. His step sequence, which had only garnered a level 3 in the short program, was awarded a level 4 here, reflecting both technical mastery and artistic flair. By the time he finished with a triple flip, the effort had taken its toll. Cha collapsed to the ice, breathing heavily, the emotion of the moment clear for all to see.
“I won’t say this is the end,” Cha told reporters after the event. “I don’t know what will happen, but I might think about the Olympics again in four years.” His words echoed a determination that has defined his career. Reflecting on his performance, he added, “There was a mistake in the free skate, but I gave everything I had. That’s why I’m satisfied. Of course, I’m disappointed with the result, but I did my best and have no regrets. Preparing for this Olympics, I learned a lot—not just as an athlete, but as a person.”
The men’s singles event was as unpredictable as any in recent memory. American phenom Ilia Malinin, who led after the short program, faltered under Olympic pressure. Despite attempting a record number of quadruple jumps, including his signature quad Axel, Malinin made several mistakes in the free skate, scoring just 156.33 points for the segment and finishing 8th overall. Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, another favorite, also stumbled, opening the door for Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov to seize a surprise gold with a score of 291.58. Kagiyama settled for silver, while Sato’s clean skating earned him the bronze.
For Cha, the narrow miss was bittersweet. The difference between his score and Sato’s was less than a point—a margin that could have been erased with a single cleaner landing. Yet, in the context of his Olympic journey, the achievement stands tall. He remains only the second Korean skater, after the legendary Yuna Kim, to finish as high as 4th in Olympic figure skating.
Cha’s program was a showcase of both technical prowess and artistry. After his early setback, he delivered a series of challenging combinations: triple flip-single Euler-triple Salchow, triple Axel-double Axel sequence, and a final triple flip, all executed with increasing confidence. His spins, including a flying camel and a change-foot combination, were awarded high levels, and his step sequence captivated the judges and audience alike. The choreography, set to the evocative “Balada para un Loco,” allowed Cha to express a full spectrum of emotion, culminating in a performance that left viewers moved and judges impressed.
The aftermath of the event was a mix of celebration and reflection. While the Korean delegation did not add to its medal tally that night, Cha’s performance was widely hailed as a victory for the sport in his country. He has inspired a new generation of skaters, proving that the gap between Korea and the traditional powerhouses of figure skating is shrinking. The progress is undeniable—each Olympic cycle, Cha has climbed higher, and his sights remain set on future challenges.
Elsewhere in Milan, the Korean team continued to make its presence felt across disciplines. The nation’s medal count stood at one gold, one silver, and two bronze, placing it 13th in the overall standings. Yet, much of the spotlight belonged to Cha Jun-hwan, whose artistry and grit encapsulated the spirit of the Games.
As the arena lights dimmed and the crowd filtered out into the chilly Milanese night, one thing was clear: Cha Jun-hwan’s fourth-place finish was more than just a number. It was a testament to perseverance, growth, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. With talk of another Olympic run not ruled out, fans and pundits alike will be eager to see what heights he can reach next. For now, though, Cha’s performance stands as a proud milestone in Korean skating history, a performance worthy of applause and admiration—no matter what the scoreboard says.