“I Was a Failure”: Burdened by Pressure, Snowboarding Queen Chloe Kim Opens Up on Her Struggles

Chloe Kim is a global snowboarding star, achieving so much at a young age. The 2x Olympic Gold Medalist dominates every time she boards, and has maintained her winning streak until now. However, with success comes expectations, and Kim is not only expected to deliver every time, but deliver big.

Making her Olympic debut just at the age of 17, she became the youngest woman to win an Olympic gold in the halfpipe snowboarding event. 4 years later, USA’s star performer defended her title to win back-to-back gold medals. But this amount of success comes with the lofty expectations to deliver big every time, undoubtedly creates a pressure.and Kim seems to be fed up with the same, calling herself a “failure”.

Chloe Kim calls herself a ‘failure’

After becoming the youngest woman to win a gold at the 2018 Olympics, Kim took a 2-year break from sports to focus on her academics. The 23-year-old came back stronger and recharged, ready to defend her title in the 2022 Winter Olympics. Given the champion she is, Kim successfully defended her title to become the first woman snowboarder to win back-to-back gold medals in the halfpipe event. However, a recent interview showed the glare of success often becomes unbearable for the successful.

Kim has been on a winning streak ever since her Olympic triumph, and, instinctively, is expected to win every time she boards. However, the USA’s star athlete seems to be dying to go back to her yesteryears leaving all the pressure behind. According to a report by The Denver Gazette, Kim expressed her emotions saying, “I kind of miss being 13 and being the underdog- there was no pressure back then.“, Kim expressed. The 23-year-old further added, “I got to get on that podium because that’s what people are expecting of me. I felt like for a long time if I didn’t win, I was a failure.”

When will Kim be back in action?

It’s clear that competitive sport takes a toll even on the best of the talents. The 23-year-old snowboarder is on another break in 2023 to be “able to be a young adult”, second after winning gold in 2018.” Kim further added that she takes her rest “seriously”, the 2x Olympic medalist will be eyeing to complete a gold hat-trick at the next Olympics.

Read More: “I Was Angry… It Became Toxic”: Chloe Kim Opens Up on Her Challenges With Mental Health

Chloe Kim is on a break right now and for all the right reasons. She competed in several events last year while also winning back-to-back Olympic golds. The 23-year-old has now decided to focus on her mental health, an important aspect of any sport.

While speaking in an interview recently, Kim expressed her desire to go after the third medal, a record third consecutive gold. Team USA will be eagerly waiting for the star athlete, and so will her fans to further stamp her greatness.

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