Alysa Liu Clinches Women’s Figure Skating Gold at Milan 2026

MILAN (Azat TV) – American figure skater Alysa Liu has captured the gold medal in women’s individual figure skating at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics, marking a historic achievement as the first U.S. woman to win the event since Sarah Hughes in 2002. The 20-year-old’s stunning victory, fueled by an exceptional free skate performance, culminates a remarkable comeback to elite competition after a brief retirement from the sport.

Liu’s triumph ends a 24-year drought for American women in the Olympic individual figure skating event, solidifying her status as a double Olympic gold medalist from this cycle, having also secured a team gold medal for the United States. Her decisive free skate performance, executed with signature joy and technical precision, propelled her to the top of the podium, surpassing strong contenders from Japan.

Alysa Liu’s Historic Olympic Gold in Milan

Competing at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics, Alysa Liu delivered a captivating free skate program to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park Suite,” earning a score of 150.20—the highest of the night. She completed all her jumps cleanly, showcasing seven triples and four doubles without receiving a negative grade of execution on any element. While Liu opted not to attempt higher-value triple axels or quad jumps, her flawless execution and artistic presentation were enough to secure the gold medal with a total score of 226.79.

Her victory placed her ahead of Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, who took the silver medal less than two points behind Liu after making a crucial mistake on her triple flip and planned triple toe combination. Fellow Japanese skater Ami Nakai, who had led after the short program, earned the bronze medal. Liu’s short program, skated to Laufey’s “Promise,” had placed her in third position going into the free skate, setting the stage for her dramatic ascent.

A Remarkable Return to the Ice

Liu’s Olympic gold is particularly significant given her journey back to the sport. The Bay Area native had retired from elite figure skating in 2022, shortly after placing sixth at the Beijing Winter Olympics, to pursue personal interests, travel, and attend college. She enrolled as a psychology student at UCLA in the fall of 2023, seemingly stepping away from competitive skating for good.

However, after a nearly two-year hiatus, Liu rediscovered her passion for the ice. Her return to consistent training saw rapid success. In her first season back, she secured a silver medal at the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and went on to win gold at the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, becoming the first American woman to claim that title since 2006. This remarkable resurgence culminated in her historic performance in Milan, defying predictions and showcasing a renewed dedication to her craft, as reported by Joysauce and the Daily Bruin.

Redefining Figure Skating with Authenticity

Liu has become known for her distinctive approach to figure skating, challenging the sport’s traditional ‘Ice Princess’ mold. Her ‘alt figure skater’ persona is evident in her unique style choices, including her signature halo hairstyle, a smiley piercing, and an preference for black minidresses and patterned tights, often sketching her own designs. Her music selections are equally contemporary, featuring artists like Lady Gaga, Laufey, Chappell Roan, and PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson, reflecting a desire for self-expression over rigid tradition, according to Mega-Asia.

Beyond her on-ice artistry, Liu has openly discussed the importance of mental health in sports, emphasizing human connection as a crucial part of her story. Her infectious joy and confidence have resonated widely, leading to a significant increase in her social media following, inspiring thousands to pursue their own dreams. Liu also experienced a minor setback when her gold medal broke off its ribbon, prompting an investigation into medal durability at the Games, though she humorously posted on Instagram, ‘My medal don’t need the ribbon,’ as reported by GiveMeSport.

Beyond the Medals: Impact and Future

Liu’s victory transcends the individual achievement, representing a significant moment for U.S. figure skating and a powerful narrative of resilience and personal agency. Her decision to return to the sport on her own terms, taking control of her program choreography, costume design, and coaching team (Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali), has redefined her relationship with skating. Her success has not only brought international recognition but also highlighted the evolving landscape of figure skating, where authenticity and self-expression are increasingly valued.

As the Milan Olympics conclude, Liu is enthusiastic about her upcoming gala program, set to the remixed song “Stateside” by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson, eager to perform for a crowd once more. Her journey, from prodigy to disillusioned retiree and now to Olympic champion, underscores a profound shift in her perspective, where the pursuit of joy and connection holds equal, if not greater, importance than the accolades themselves.

Alysa Liu’s ability to return to the pinnacle of her sport after a period of disillusionment, while simultaneously redefining the aesthetic and emotional dimensions of figure skating, signals a broader cultural shift towards valuing athlete well-being and individual expression alongside traditional competitive excellence.