Alysa Liu delivered one of the most remarkable performances of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday night in Milan, capturing gold in women’s figure skating and ending a 24-year Olympic title drought for the United States.
The 20-year-old stunned the skating world with a near-flawless free skate, posting a career-best 226.79 total points to secure the top spot on the podium.
It marks the first Olympic gold medal for an American woman in figure skating since Sarah Hughes triumphed in Salt Lake City in 2002.
A Comeback for the Ages
Liu’s victory carries added significance because of her journey back to the sport. After competing at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, she stepped away from competitive skating, citing burnout and the need for personal growth.
Many believed her Olympic moment had passed.
Instead, Liu returned stronger, more composed, and visibly freer in her skating. Her program in Milan combined technical precision with emotional artistry — drawing roaring applause from the crowd.
Pressure on the Ice
The final standings were not settled until the very end.
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai both delivered strong performances but made costly errors that left the door open. Nakai’s final score ultimately confirmed Liu’s lead, sealing the American victory.
In a powerful team moment, teammate Amber Glenn raised her hand in celebration as the scoreboard finalized the result.
Russia’s Adeliia Petrosian narrowly missed gold after falling on a quad attempt, finishing less than half a point behind the leaders.
A New Era for U.S. Skating
Liu’s win reshapes the narrative around American women’s figure skating.
For over two decades, the U.S. had watched as other nations claimed Olympic dominance in the discipline. Now, the gold returns home — powered by a skater who once walked away from the sport entirely.
“It feels surreal,” Liu said afterward, visibly emotional. “I just wanted to skate the best I could. I didn’t expect this.”
Her performance immediately sparked global reactions, with fans and analysts praising both her resilience and technical mastery.
More Than a Medal
Beyond the statistics, Liu’s victory represents something deeper — perseverance.
Walking away from a sport at the highest level takes courage. Returning and reaching the summit takes even more.
With this gold medal, Alysa Liu has not only ended a drought — she has written one of the most inspiring comeback stories in Oly
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