Brazil wins first ever Winter Youth Olympic Games medal at Gangwon 2024

Brazil won its first ever medal at a Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) as snowboarder Zion Bethonico won bronze on the first day of Gangwon 2024.

The 17-year-old crashed in the first heat of Gangwon 2024 but fought backt to make it to the final of the men’s snowboard cross (SBX). He finished in third place to secure a historic bronze, finishing behind France’s Jonas Chollet, and Canada’s Anthony Shelly.

“It means the world to me. It’s finally a medal I can really be proud of,” Bethonico told Olympics.com after the race. “As much as I’m young, it’s been a long career. Since I was around seven years old, I’ve been on snow and I’ve finally gotten something. I can be proud of this. I’ll take this in life with me, but I plan to go a lot higher – to the Olympics next time.”