2026 Winter Olympics, Snowboarder Jake Canter Wins Bronze Medal Post Fracturing Skull, Being In Coma

American snowboarder, Jake Canter has had one of the most remarkable comebacks at the 2026 Winter Olympics games. The 22-year-old snowboarder clinched a bronze medal in the men's slopestyle on February 18, 2026, at Milano Cortina Games. Jake won at the 2026 Olympics for the first time, a decade after he nearly died due to a trampoline accident. Jake had survived the same, and the near-death experience did not change his snowboarding dreams. The 22-year-old snagged onto the third position with 79.36 points while Su Yiming of China clinched the gold and Japan's Taiga Hasegawa secured the silver.

Jake Canter had a traumatic brain injury that left him with a 20 per cent chance of survival

Back in 2016, when Jake Canter was merely 13 years old, he had suffered from a traumatic brain injury. This happened when he was practising at a trampoline park located in Colorado. He had suffered a fractured skull in four places and also had bleeding in his brain. The accident happened when Jake had collided with another athlete at the trampoline park. He had a 20 per cent chance of survival, and doctors had placed him into a medically induced coma for four days. Speaking about the horrific accident, Jake, in an interview with the Youth Magazine, had said:

"A kid lost his balance on another trampoline and hit me in the back of my skull, fracturing my skull in four places. It took me six months to kind of get back to normal and start feeling alright. A lot of rehab. I worked with a functional neurologist, Shane Steadman, and he fully got me back and he used snowboarding in his therapy."

Jake Canter is permanently deaf in his right ear and has dealt with spinal fluid leakage

For Jake Canter, the recovery from the traumatic brain injury accident was all things gruelling. According to a report by the Summit, Jake, after emerging from a coma, had to deal with a spinal fluid leakage due to which bacterial meningitis emerged. Jake had suffered from intense ear pain for two weeks, and his family had once found him unconscious in the room. Jake was then immediately rushed to the hospital. Due to surgical intervention, the use of bone cement in Jake's skull, he became permanently deaf in his right ear. Jake had to relearn skills such as walking, talking and in an interview with the PEOPLE shared:

“I had no clue until I woke up and I thought I was dead. When big things happen like that to you...I don’t know, everything feels so surreal. I was in a coma when I was 13. I probably shouldn’t be doubting myself as much as I am. Stop thinking. Just enjoy the moment. When big things happen like that to you...I don’t know, everything feels so surreal."

Jake Canter reacts to winning a bronze medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics

When Jake had woken up from a coma, according to a report by USA Today, six days later, the 13-year-old boy asked his mother if he was alive. The freak accident in Colorado had almost taken Jake's life, but after he came out of a coma, he asked his mom when he could snowboard again. Jake Canter's US teammate, Red Gerard, in an interview with USA Today.com, revealed that Jake had dealt with many injuries and similar issues. Out of the U.S. team, Jake has been the one who has worked the hardest in the last four years out of anyone. However, Jake's next eyes were on winning a gold, but at the moment, the young snowboarder, after suffering from depression and health issues, grabbed his place at the podium. A bronze medal was put on his neck, and Jake spoke about the experience, and he shared:

"I want to make 13-year-old me proud, and I kept saying that to myself as well. I hope I made him proud. This gold’s a little dirty, but it will do.”

Team BollywoodShaadis congratulates Jake Canter for winning a bronze medal.

Also Read: Did Ishan Kishan's Mom Deny Dating Rumours Of Cricketer With Aditi Hundia And Squash Marriage Buzz?

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)