'I've broken it three times': Cooper Woods reveals medal disaster amid celebrations and podium shoes issue
Updated . First published
Almost 24 hours on from his moguls stunner, Cooper Woods revealed he had broken his gold medal three times and had to borrow Jakara Anthony's shoes to get on the podium during chaotic celebrations.
Speaking as a guest at Nine's Livigno studio the following day, Woods gave an insight into the events that followed his success on Friday mornig (AEDT).
Walking up the stairs to the studio, Woods tripped and forgot his accreditation in an indication of how overwhelmed he still was.
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Woods then watched footage of him celebrating with his family and when the medal broke the first time. It wouldn't be the last time.
Cooper Woods with his gold medal and in the Nine studios. Nine/Getty
"I've broken it three times, it doesn't last very long, but it's still gold," he said.
The gold medallist also revealed he had to wear his teammate's shoes to step on the podium to claim gold.
"I didn't bring shoes and it's a journey to get to the top of the podium so I was wearing Jakara's because she's already been up there and she goes 'you can have mine this one time'," he smiled.
"I owe her a new pair of shoes."
There was also one moment straight after Woods won Milano Cortina gold that showed how tight the Australian moguls team is and what the gold meant to his teammates.
As the Australian flagbearer and second-ranked moguls skier in the world, Matt Graham could have been excused for being disappointed with his fifth place. Instead, Woods barely had time to throw his skis on the ground and thrust his poles to the sky in raw celebration before his teammate was there with him like a blizzard.
Team Australia coaches were still looking at their phones to try to decipher exactly how a dead heat with Mikael "The King" Kingsbury translated to Aussie gold when Graham charged in, hoisting Woods roughly into the air.
Woods returned the favour before falling to his knees on the Livigno snow, ripping his helmet off and embracing his teammate again.
Graham charged in, hoisting Woods roughly into the air. Getty
On Nine's commentary, fellow gold medallist Lydia Lassila was struggling to control herself.
"He is an Olympic gold medallist," she screamed
"I don't believe it, Cooper – Olympic champion, Cooper Woods.
"The Top Pub at Pambula will be going off."
On commentary, James Bracey said the moment was "iconic" and Lassila said it showed the strength of their "brotherhood".
"They're friends for life, you know. And they feed off each other," she said.
"All of Matt's success had fed into Cooper Woods, and he's used that as motivation, and it's all come to fruition."
Watch the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event live & on demand, every medal in 4K, and exclusive international coverage on Stan Sport.
Woods barely had time to throw his skis on the ground and thrust his poles to the sky in raw celebration before his teammate was there with him like a blizzard. Getty
Graham declared Woods' display was "a win for Australia".
"He deserves this. He's worked so hard," he told Nine.
"The whole team has worked hard. It's a win for Cooper and for the team. It's a win for Australia."
Woods couldn't seem to rip his eyes away from the scoreboard, staring almost in disbelief.
Eventually, emotional overload seemed to set in as he sat hands on head, halfway between laughing and crying, face bright red from cold, emotion and exertion.
"I'm tearing up here in the commentary box, this is unbelievable," fellow moguls Olympian Britt Cox managed after long moments of stunned silence.
There was more to come. The hugs were all tight but maybe none so meaningful as when he reunited with his parents – former national aerials team members Matt Topalovic and Katrina Woods – on live TV.
Gold medalist Cooper Woods of Team Australia celebrates with his family. Getty
"It's massive. It's more than the medal itself. It's the people," Topalovic said.
Ms Woods said skiing had been "in our blood" for a long time.
"His aunts and uncles and siblings have all skied as well," she told Cox.
"And it's very exciting that we've come to this and they were all here to watch it. That was such a big thing.
"We weren't able to be there in Beijing, to be there this time and see this happen, and see him, see him win, is just an incredible dream."
- with Jorge Branco
