Alysa Liu Wins Historic Olympic Figure Skating Gold for USA After 24 Years

Alysa Liu wins Olympic gold, the first for the USA in women's figure skating in 24 years. This is a huge win after her break from the sport.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

Alysa Liu has won the Olympic gold medal in women's figure skating, marking the first time an American has achieved this feat in 24 years. Her victory ends a long drought for the United States in this discipline and is a significant personal milestone after a period of stepping away from the sport. The competition saw a close race, with Japanese skaters Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai earning silver and bronze, respectively.

Context of the Competition

The women's figure skating event at the Milan Cortina Games concluded with Alysa Liu at the top of the podium. This win is notable for several reasons:

10 Photos of Alysa Lui: Figure Skater Wins First Olympic Gold for US After 24 Years - 1

  • It is the first American Olympic gold medal in women's figure skating since 2006.

  • Liu's journey included a period of retirement, making her return to competition and subsequent victory particularly compelling.

  • The results reflect a strong showing from Japan, with Kaori Sakamoto taking silver and Ami Nakai securing bronze.

  • Ami Nakai, at 17 years old, was the youngest competitor and had led after the short program.

Key Performances and Outcomes

The final standings highlight the close competition:

  • Alysa Liu secured gold with an overall score of 226.79 points. Her performance included landing all seven of her triple jumps cleanly, with three in combination. She skated to a Donna Summer medley in a golden dress.

  • Kaori Sakamoto earned silver with 224.90 points. Her performance had minor errors on a triple flip, double axel combination, and triple loop. Sakamoto, a three-time world champion, indicated these Games would be her last.

  • Ami Nakai finished with bronze, scoring 219.16 points. Despite leading after the short program, she made several errors in her free skate, including on a triple lutz.

Other notable skaters included Mone Chiba of Japan in fourth place and Amber Glenn of the U.S. in fifth, who improved significantly in her free skate after a disappointing short program.

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10 Photos of Alysa Lui: Figure Skater Wins First Olympic Gold for US After 24 Years - 2

Alysa Liu's Comeback Narrative

Alysa Liu's path to this Olympic gold was marked by significant challenges and a period of uncertainty. She had previously stepped away from the sport for nearly four years, questioning if she would ever return. Her comeback performance is described as a career-best long program, demonstrating her resilience and determination. This victory is framed not just as a sporting achievement but also as a personal triumph, achieved on her own terms after feeling pressure to compete in previous stages of her career.

Liu's win signifies a return to prominence for American women's figure skating after a 24-year hiatus from the top of the Olympic podium.

10 Photos of Alysa Lui: Figure Skater Wins First Olympic Gold for US After 24 Years - 3

The Role of Mistakes in Medal Placements

The final medal positions were influenced by mistakes made by competitors, particularly in the free skate.

  • Ami Nakai's errors on a triple lutz and a combination sequence in her free skate were cited as key factors in her dropping to third place.

  • Kaori Sakamoto also had mistakes on her jump combinations, which kept her from achieving her season's best score.

  • Levito, another American skater, fell on her opening jump, resulting in a significant point deduction that hindered her chances of reaching the podium.

Were these critical errors simply execution failures, or did the pressure of competing for Olympic medals play a significant role?

Read More: Alysa Liu Wins Historic 2026 Olympic Figure Skating Gold, Ending 24-Year US Drought

10 Photos of Alysa Lui: Figure Skater Wins First Olympic Gold for US After 24 Years - 4

International Perspectives on the Competition

The competition featured strong performances from skaters across different nations, showcasing a global landscape in figure skating.

  • Japan's strength in the discipline was evident with Sakamoto and Nakai securing silver and bronze.

  • Russia's Adeliia Petrosian, whose participation was subject to scrutiny, did not factor into the medal contention.

  • The U.S. team also celebrated Team USA's gold medal in the team event, in which Liu also participated.

Expert and Media Commentary

Commentators have emphasized the significance of Liu's victory for American figure skating and her personal journey.

"She let out an emphatic fist pump when she finished her bounceback performance." - The Athletic

"Alysa Liu added Olympic figure skating gold to her world title as she beat a standout field in the women's final." - BBC Sport

"The 20-year-old from Clovis, California, who vanished from the sport nearly four years ago uncertain if she’d ever return, delivered a career-best long program to overtake Japanese rivals Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai." - The Guardian

The narrative surrounding Liu's win focuses on her overcoming past pressures and competing with a renewed sense of self-purpose.

Conclusion and Implications

Alysa Liu's Olympic gold medal is a landmark achievement, breaking a 24-year streak for the United States in women's figure skating. Her performance, marked by technical precision and emotional resonance, underscored a successful comeback after a period away from the sport. The competition also highlighted the depth of talent from other nations, particularly Japan, and the fine margins that determine medal outcomes. This victory not only brings a prestigious title back to the U.S. but also provides an inspiring example of perseverance and self-determination in elite athletics. The coming months will likely see further analysis of the competitive landscape and Liu's future in the sport.

Read More: Alysa Liu Wins Olympic Figure Skating Gold, Ending 24-Year U.S. Drought in Milan 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Alysa Liu win the Olympic gold medal in figure skating?
Alysa Liu won the gold medal with a total score of 226.79 points. She skated a strong free program, landing all seven of her triple jumps cleanly and performing three in combination.
Q: Why is Alysa Liu's gold medal win important for the USA?
This is the first Olympic gold medal for an American woman in figure skating in 24 years, ending a long wait for the United States in this sport.
Q: Who else won medals in the women's figure skating event?
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto won the silver medal with 224.90 points, and Japan's Ami Nakai took the bronze medal with 219.16 points.
Q: What was Alysa Liu's journey to winning gold?
Alysa Liu had stepped away from figure skating for nearly four years and was unsure if she would return. Her win is seen as a major comeback and a personal triumph after overcoming past pressures.
Q: Did other skaters make mistakes that affected the results?
Yes, Ami Nakai made several errors in her free skate, including on jumps, which caused her to drop from first after the short program to third place. Kaori Sakamoto also had minor errors on her jump combinations.