Benjamin Karl celebrates Olympic gold with a shirtless tribute to Hermann Maier, ends 25-year wait

By: The Associated Press Posted: 4:01 AM CST Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Snowboarder Benjamin Karl might be looking for a new nickname after the Austrian’s impressive victory celebration following his second straight Olympic title.

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LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Snowboarder Benjamin Karl might be looking for a new nickname after the Austrian’s impressive victory celebration following his second straight Olympic title.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/02/2026 (235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Snowboarder Benjamin Karl might be looking for a new nickname after the Austrian’s impressive victory celebration following his second straight Olympic title.

After winning gold in the men’s parallel giant slalom on Sunday at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Karl stripped off his shirt, did a huge weightlifter flex, then fell bare-chested into the snow.

The move might have seemed spontaneous, but Karl said it was a long-planned tribute to alpine skiing legend Hermann Maier, who was nicknamed “The Herminator” and often celebrated victories in a similar manner.

Austria's Benjamin Karl celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's snowboarding parallel giant slalom finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

“He was one of the greatest skiers of all time in Austria and he once did this,” Karl said. “I always wanted to do the same. I lost the chance in Beijing because I was so overwhelmed from emotions, and today I took the chance.

“I needed to wait 25 years to make this pose like Hermann Maier. Now I did it and this is the crown of my career.”

The 40-year-old Karl is competing at his fifth Olympics. As well as the gold he won four years ago in Beijing, he has a silver medal from 2010 and bronze from 2014.

Karl also has a slew of world championship medals, including five golds.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics