Alysa Liu made history on February 8, 2026, by winning the first Olympic gold medal for a U.S. woman in figure skating in 24 years. Her stunning performance at the Milan Cortina Games featured a nearly flawless free skate, earning her a career-best score of 226.79 points. Liu’s victory came as she outperformed notable competitors, including Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai.
Resilient Comeback in the Spotlight
The 20-year-old athlete from the San Francisco Bay Area had previously stepped away from competitive skating after the 2022 Beijing Games, where she finished sixth. During her two-year hiatus, Liu engaged in various life experiences, including climbing to the base camp of Mount Everest and studying psychology at UCLA. Inspired by a recent skiing trip that reignited her love for the sport, Liu made a remarkable return, determined to skate on her own terms.
In her final routine, Liu captivated the audience with her golden sequined dress and confident demeanor. She opened with a triple flip and maintained her momentum, concluding her program with a complex combination sequence. The atmosphere was electric as Liu completed her performance, and the crowd erupted in applause.
Medal Standings and Personal Triumphs
Liu’s score eclipsed Sakamoto’s total of 224.90 points, who secured the silver medal after making a critical error during a combination sequence. Nakai finished third with 219.16 points, rounding out the podium. The excitement among Liu’s teammates was palpable; when Nakai’s score was announced, U.S. teammate Amber Glenn celebrated by raising Liu’s hand, highlighting the camaraderie among the competitors.
This gold medal marks the first individual Olympic victory for an American woman in figure skating since Sarah Hughes won gold in 2002. Liu also contributed to the U.S. team’s gold medal, adding to her accolades at the Milan Cortina Games.
Throughout the competition, Glenn showcased her resilience, finishing fifth with a score of 214.91 points, a significant improvement after a challenging short program earlier in the event. Her strong free skate performance nearly secured her a podium finish, demonstrating her determination and skill.
Notably, Adeliia Petrosian, the 18-year-old Russian competing as a neutral athlete, attempted the only quadruple jump in the women’s competition but fell, ultimately finishing just behind Glenn. The competition was fiercely contested, with each skater striving for personal and team glory.
As the final moments of Liu’s performance unfolded to the sounds of Donna Summer’s rendition of “MacArthur Park,” the joy and relief on her face were unmistakable. Coaches Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali celebrated exuberantly, marking the culmination of Liu’s journey from prodigy to champion.
Liu’s remarkable comeback story and her triumph at the Milan Cortina Games symbolize not only personal achievement but also a significant moment in U.S. figure skating history. With her gold medal, Alysa Liu has not only ended a long drought for American women in the sport but has also emerged as a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes around the world.
