Zoi Sadowski-Synnott is not an athlete who simply competes. With six gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals, she proves that she dominates in snowboarding Slopestyle. 

At this year’s Aspen X Games, Sadowski-Synnott’s experience and poise were clear as the Kiwi snowboarder claimed two silver medals. But there was a lot more behind those silver medals than you might think. 

In January 2024, Sadowski-Synnott had to pull out of the Aspen X Games due to an ankle injury she had been rehabilitating since December of 2023. She missed nearly all of the 2023-2024 season, taking an extended break to recover and rebuild. 

For someone who feels most like herself when competing, the stillness was unsettling for her.

Sadowski-Synnott was itching to return to competition, to be back on her board, under the lights, in the atmosphere where she thrives. But patience is a virtue, and Sadowski-Synnott had to learn to exercise hers. 

For Sadowski-Synnott, the real challenge of her injury was the recovery process. She spent three months rehabilitating her ankle and building her confidence. 

“The past couple of seasons I said yes to everything because I’m so grateful for the opportunity. Then coming into this after my injury, and going through my injury, I couldn’t make everything work and needed to focus on my healing. So coming into this year I just learned how to say ‘no’ ,” Sadowski-Synnott said. 

Full recovery from her ankle injury required mental and physical strength as Sadowski-Synnott had to learn to trust herself and her body. 

Now, back to true form in the 2026 Aspen X Games, Sadowski-Synnott is ready to compete. 

Sadowski-Synnott has always been a role model for young girls who want to dominate in their sports. But now, the Kiwi is modeling more than just success—she’s modeling resilience, patience, and the importance of letting your mind and body heal to come back stronger than before.