sports

Canter Wins Olympic Bronze Despite Near-Death Injury

U.S. snowboarder Jake Canter won Olympic bronze in slopestyle, nine years after doctors told him he would never snowboard again following a traumatic brain injury.

Despite being told by doctors at age 13 that he would never snowboard again after a traumatic brain injury, 22-year-old Jake Canter defied medical expectations to win Olympic bronze in slopestyle. The U.S. rider's journey included a fractured skull, comas, meningitis, and relearning basic skills after bone cement was placed in his skull and ear.

Canter secured his podium finish with a 1980-degree spin on his final run, celebrating with a "Let's Go!" scream as he thrust his arms to the skies. "I really just hope I made 13-year-old me lying in that hospital bed proud," Canter said, dedicating his medal to himself and his supporters who believed in his recovery.