Alysa Liu wins gold for US in women’s figure skating at 2026 Winter Olympics

Alysa Liu won a gold medal in the women’s individual all-around on Thursday, making her the first US woman to take the Olympic podium in the event since 2006. Kaori Sakamoto of Japan took silver and Ami Nakai, also of Japan, took bronze.

The last American woman to medal in figure skating was Sasha Cohen, who took home silver in 2006. Sarah Hughes was the last American woman to win a gold medal, in 2002 – four years before Liu was born. Michelle Kwan also won a bronze medal in those Olympics. This is Liu’s second gold medal.

“I love it, I can’t process this. There’s no way,” Liu could be heard telling his coaches as he walked down the aisle after the win.

Liu, 20, started the free skate in third place, behind Japan’s Nakai and Sakamoto, following Tuesday’s short program. Isabeau Levito, 18, was in eighth place, and Amber Glenn, 26, was in 13th place after a mistake in her short program.

Glenn became the first US skater to take his free ice skate. After failing to complete the loop three times on Tuesdayhis score going into the free skate was 67.39. During Thursday’s swing, she nailed a triple axel, although she had to catch herself after a near-fall on the last lap. He got 147.52 points, he got 214.91 points.

Photos captured Glenn hugging his coach after his skate. Glenn looked happy, smiling and jumping for joy. Despite entering the free skate in 13th place, he was at the top of the leaderboard for most of the event, eventually being edged out by Japanese skater Mone Chiba. Glenn finished the race in fifth place, while Chiba took fourth.

Liu praised Glenn’s high-scoring comeback in a brief interview with an NBC Olympics reporter.

“He did great. I watched him on the bus on the way here, and hey, he killed it, and I’m so happy for him,” Liu said.

Levito was the next American woman to skate. He took the ice with 70.84 points in his short program. He fell when he reached the third turn, losing nine points, but recovered to skate the rest of his route.

Levito looked disappointed after leaving the ice, as Glenn cheered him on. He also looked bitter as his score of 131.96 was read. Levito scored 202.80 points and placed 12th overall.

Liu was the last US competitor and the third-to-last skier to take the ice. He looked relaxed during his warm-up, waving to the audience as he rehearsed. He entered the rankings with a score of 76.59 after his short program of carelessness. Liu looked relaxed and energetic during her free skate, a triple lutz and a triple salchow. He had a big smile during the event, and the crowd roared every time he jumped.

Liu looked especially relaxed during his step sequence, and ended the routine with a victory as his family stood up to cheer.

Liu’s score was 150.20, for a total of 226.79.

“That’s what the f*** I’m talking about!” he shouted to the camera after finishing his skate. He jumped off the ice to hug his coaches and was heard saying, “That was great!” as they give him his skate guards. Glenn and Liu were also seen hugging each other.

Sakamoto won silver for her skate at the Edith Piaf song contest. He missed three jumps, but skated well, and hugged Liu after he got off the ice.

Nakai struggled with some of his jumps, but his technique’s high difficulty score meant he still took home the bronze medal. Liu and Nakai also hugged each other after Nakai’s score was read.

The United States also took gold in the team skiing event earlier in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.