Alysa Liu Delivers Historic Figure Skating Triumph at Milano Cortina 2026

First American Women’s Figure Skating Gold in Two Decades

Alysa Liu just made history.

On Thursday night at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the 20-year-old phenom stormed to the gold medal in women’s individual figure skating — the first Olympic gold for an American woman in the discipline since Sarah Hughes shocked the world in 2002.Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto claimed silver and Ami Nakai took bronze, but this night belonged to Liu and Team USA.

From Third to First:

Liu’s Electric Free SkateLiu entered the free skate sitting in third place after a clean, carefree short program (76.59 points). Japan’s Nakai and Sakamoto were ahead, while teammates Isabeau Levito (8th) and Amber Glenn (13th) faced uphill battles.Then Liu took the ice as the third-to-last skater overall — and she owned every second.She attacked her jumps with confidence: triple lutz–triple salchow combo landed perfectly, step sequences drew roars from the crowd, and her choreographic flair had the arena buzzing. She finished with a huge smile and a triumphant pose as her family jumped to their feet for a standing ovation.Free skate score: 150.20

Total: 226.79 — Olympic champion.The moment she finished, Liu turned to the camera and yelled:

“That’s what the f*** I’m talking about!”She practically bounced off the ice, hugged her coaches, and could be heard shouting, “That was so great!” as they handed her skate guards. Pure joy.

Amber Glenn’s Jaw-Dropping Comeback

Glenn, starting the day in 13th after a short-program stumble (67.39 points), refused to fade quietly.She opened with a massive triple axel, fought through a near-fall on her final loop (catching herself with her hand), and poured everything into the performance. Free skate: 147.52

Total: 214.91 — fifth place overall.She held the leaderboard lead for a huge chunk of the session, finally unseated by Japan’s Mone Chiba. When she finished, Glenn was beaming, jumping for joy, and hugging her coach. Liu later gushed:

“She did so good. I watched it on the bus on the way here, and aw, she killed it, and I’m really happy for her.”

Isabeau Levito Fights Back After Early Fall

Levito (18) opened with a fall on her triple flip, costing nine points, but battled through the rest of her program with grit.

Free skate: 131.96

Total: 202.80

She looked disappointed and emotional leaving the ice — but Glenn was right there cheering her on.

Japan’s Sakamoto & Nakai Shine on Podium

Sakamoto delivered a clean, expressive skate to an Edith Piaf medley (missing only one triple) to secure silver. She shared a warm embrace with Liu afterward.Nakai battled jump struggles but rode a sky-high difficulty score to bronze — and hugged Liu right after her marks were announced.

USA’s Golden Moment

The United States also won gold in the team figure skating event earlier in these Games — and now Liu has added individual glory.Twenty years after Sasha Cohen’s silver in 2006, Alysa Liu has brought the gold back home.For full scoring, highlights, podium photos, and interviews, head to Olympics.com or your local broadcaster.Alysa Liu just put her name in the history books — and the United States is celebrating