1. Overview
Chaeun Lee, also known as Lee Chaeun or Lee Chae-un, is a prominent South Korean snowboarder who has made significant contributions to the sport. Born on April 11, 2006, he gained international recognition for his exceptional talent and historic achievements at a young age. Lee has become a trailblazer for South Korean snowboarding, setting multiple "youngest-ever" records and securing groundbreaking gold medals at major international competitions, including the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships, the Winter Youth Olympics, and the Asian Winter Games. His success has significantly elevated the profile of snowboarding in South Korea and inspired a new generation of athletes.
2. Personal Information
Chaeun Lee (이채운I ChaeunKorean) was born on April 11, 2006, in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. He holds South Korean nationality. Lee stands at 5.7 ft (1.73 m) tall and weighs 139 lb (63 kg). His primary disciplines in snowboarding are the halfpipe and slopestyle.
3. Career
Chaeun Lee's professional snowboarding career is marked by a rapid ascent through the ranks, achieving notable successes in various international competitions from a young age.
Lee's early successes include multiple medals at the FIS Snowboarding Junior World Championships. In 2021, he earned a bronze medal in the halfpipe event at the Junior World Championships held in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. The following year, at the 2022 Junior World Championships in Leysin, Switzerland, Lee secured a gold medal in the halfpipe and a bronze medal in the Big Air event. These achievements set the stage for his breakthrough performances at senior international events.
3.1. 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
At just 15 years old, Chaeun Lee competed in the men's halfpipe event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. His participation made him the youngest male athlete among all competitors at the Beijing Games, highlighting his exceptional talent and early entry into elite international competition.
3.2. 2023 World Championships
In 2023, at the age of 16, Chaeun Lee achieved a historic victory at the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships 2023 held in Bakuriani, Georgia. He won the gold medal in the men's halfpipe event. This triumph made him the first South Korean to win a gold medal in any skiing or snowboarding discipline at a FIS World Championships. Furthermore, he became the youngest male snowboard gold medalist in the history of the World Championships, marking a significant milestone in his career and for South Korean winter sports.
3.3. 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics
Chaeun Lee continued his golden streak at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics held in Gangwon Province, South Korea. Competing on home soil, he delivered outstanding performances, securing two gold medals. He won gold in both the boys' slopestyle and boys' halfpipe events. With these victories, Lee became the first South Korean to win a gold medal in snowboarding at any Winter Olympic competition, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the sport.
3.4. 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games
At the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, Chaeun Lee added another gold medal to his growing collection. He triumphed in the men's snowboard slopestyle final. Lee secured his win with a remarkable performance, achieving a score of 90.00 points on his third run, which included a difficult triple cork 1440 maneuver.
4. Legacy and Impact
Chaeun Lee's remarkable career has left a significant legacy and impact on the sport of snowboarding, particularly within South Korea. His groundbreaking achievements, characterized by a series of "youngest-ever" records, have brought unprecedented attention to South Korean snowboarding on the global stage. By becoming the first South Korean to win gold at the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships and the first to claim a snowboarding gold at any Winter Olympic competition (via the Youth Olympics), Lee has shattered previous limitations and demonstrated the potential for South Korean athletes in winter sports. His success not only elevates the status of snowboarding in his home country but also serves as a powerful inspiration for aspiring young athletes, encouraging greater participation and development in the sport.