Alysa Liu’s Joyful Triumph: First U.S. Women’s Olympic Figure Skating Gold Since 2002
In a moment that reignited American hopes in figure skating, Alysa Liu delivered a fearless and artistic free skate to clinch Olympic gold at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, marking the first U.S. women’s singles gold since Sarah Hughes’ stunning victory in 2002.[1][2]
Liu, known for her effortless style and perpetual smile, entered the free skate in third place after the short program. But her performance transformed the Mediolanum Forum into a showcase of pure joy and technical mastery. Skating to her chosen music with a relaxed nonchalance, Liu executed high-flying jumps—including triple lutzes, triple toes, and combinations like triple lutz-double axel-double toe loop—that commentators described as looking “easy” and full of height.[1][2][3]
“She has like this nonchalance both to the way she jumps and performs,” broadcasters noted during the live coverage, praising her as “all sunshine on the ice.” Liu’s score of 226.79 points edged out Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto (224.90), a three-time world champion who faltered on a triple flip-triple toe combination, and fellow Japanese skater Ami Nakai (219.16), who took bronze despite a ninth-place free skate.[2]
A Champion Who Skates for Art, Not Medals
What set Liu apart was her mindset. Coming out of a brief retirement, the American rediscovered her love for the sport. “I don’t need a medal. I just need to be here and show people what I can do,” she had said before the event. Her coach, Phillip DiGuglielmo, echoed this: “Alysa is different. We know she wasn’t here to win a medal. She was here to skate and to enjoy it.”[1][2]
Post-victory, Liu’s first instinct wasn’t to check scores but to hug her competitors. “I’m really grateful that I got the chance to showcase my art and my ideas,” she told reporters, grinning ear-to-ear. This gold—coupled with her team event victory—caps a remarkable resurgence. Just a year prior, Liu became the first U.S. woman to win a world title since Kimmie Meissner in 2006.[2]
“These titles are huge, but I don’t want them to overshadow who I am and what I do and what I am all about. Winning isn’t all that, and neither is losing.”
— Alysa Liu[2]
Ending a 24-Year Drought
Liu’s win ends a 24-year wait for U.S. women’s Olympic singles gold. The last was Sarah Hughes in 2002, followed by a silver for Sasha Cohen in 2006—often misremembered in early broadcasts as the previous medal.[1][2] In the years since, American women have struggled against dominant fields from Japan and Russia, with no gold medals in the interim.
| Rank | Skater | Country | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alysa Liu | USA | 226.79 |
| 2 | Kaori Sakamoto | JPN | 224.90 |
| 3 | Ami Nakai | JPN | 219.16 |
Liu’s Journey: From Prodigy to Olympic Champion
Born in 2005, Alysa Liu burst onto the scene as a prodigy, landing triple Axels as a junior. Her senior career included world junior titles and a controversial 2022 Olympic team selection debate. A step back from competition allowed her to refocus on the joy of skating, leading to this pinnacle moment.[2]
Multi-angle footage from NBC Sports highlights her program’s fluidity, with editors noting it was set to different music for the release but captures the essence of her original skate.[3] Liu’s performance wasn’t just technically sound; it was an artistic statement that captivated audiences worldwide.
Impact on U.S. Figure Skating
This victory provides a much-needed boost for U.S. Figure Skating, which has faced challenges post-Kamila Valieva scandal and coaching transitions. Liu’s gold, alongside her team event success, signals a new era. Fans and analysts predict it could inspire the next generation, much like Hughes’ win did over two decades ago.
As the Milan Cortina Games continue, all eyes are on whether Liu’s lighthearted approach will influence peers. For now, she’s the champion who can’t stop smiling—and America’s newest Olympic hero.
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