Milan: Alysa Liu scripted a remarkable comeback story by capturing the women’s singles gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, becoming the first American woman in 24 years to claim the Olympic title in figure skating.
The reigning world champion delivered a near-flawless free skate on Thursday night (19 February), surging from third place after the short program to finish with a career-best total of 226.79 points. Her performance, set to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park Suite,” electrified the crowd inside the Milano Ice Skating Arena as she struck her final pose to thunderous applause.
The triumph marks the first U.S. women’s Olympic gold in figure skating since Sarah Hughes won at the Salt Lake City 2002. Liu also becomes the first American woman to win any individual Olympic medal in the event since Sasha Cohen took bronze at Torino 2006.
“I’m so honoured to have this and be alongside the people who have won it in the past,” Liu said after the event. “I’m so happy with the way I skated today. The crowd was incredible, and the skate went exactly how I wanted it to.”
Japan’s Sakamoto Kaori, a three-time world champion, claimed the silver medal with 224.90 despite a costly early error on her triple flip. Her compatriot Nakai Ami secured bronze, completing a historic moment as Japan placed two women on the Olympic podium.
The gold caps an extraordinary journey for Liu. After making her Olympic debut at Beijing 2022 at just 16, she retired weeks later following a World Championships bronze. She returned to competition in 2024, rediscovering her passion for the sport and taking creative control of her programs, choreography and music. That revival led to a world title and now an Olympic crown.
It is Liu’s second gold medal in Milan, having earlier helped Team USA secure the team event title. With poise, artistic freedom and renewed love for skating, Liu’s “round two” has culminated at the very top of the Olympic podium — ending a generation-long wait for American women’s figure skating glory.
Source: Milano Cortina Olympics 2026
Photo credit: Olympics/X
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