Alyssa Liu won one Gold medal in women’s individual figure skating on Thursday, becoming the first American to reach the Olympic podium in the event since 2006. Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto took silver and Ami Nakai, also from Japan, took bronze.
The last American woman to win a medal in individual figure skating was Sasha Cohen, who took home silver in 2006. Sarah Hughes was the last American woman to take home a gold medal in 2002 – four years before Liu was even born. Michelle Kwan also won a bronze medal at these Olympics. This is Liu’s second gold medal.
“I just like it, I can’t process this. No way,” Liu was heard telling her coaches as she walked down the hallway after the win.
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After the short program on Tuesday, the 20-year-old Liu started the free skate in third place, behind the Japanese Nakai and Sakamoto. Isabeau Levito, 18, was in eighth place, while Amber Glenn, 26, finished in 13th place after a mistake in her short program.
Glenn was the first American ice skater to take the ice for her free skate. After He was unable to complete a three-way loop on Tuesdayher score before the free skate was 67.39. While skating on Thursday, she pulled off a triple axel but had to use her hand to catch herself after nearly falling on her final lap. She scored 147.52 points, for a total score of 214.91.
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Photos show Glenn hugging her coach after skating. Glenn looked visibly thrilled, smiling and jumping for joy. Although she entered the free skate in 13th place, she was at the top of the leaderboard for most of the event and was eventually edged out by Japanese figure skater Mone Chiba. Glenn finished the competition in fifth place and Chiba took fourth place.
Liu praised Glenn’s successful comeback in a brief interview with an NBC Olympics correspondent.
“She did so well. I saw it on the bus on the way here and oh, she killed it and I’m really happy for her,” Liu said.
Levito was the next American to skate. She hit the ice with a score of 70.84 from her short program. She fell while landing her first triple flip and lost nine points, but recovered to continue the rest of her routine.
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Levito looked disappointed after leaving the ice, despite Glenn cheering her on. She also appeared emotional as her score of 131.96 was read out. Levito achieved a total score of 202.80 and placed 12th overall.
Liu was the last U.S. competitor and the second-to-last skater to take the ice. She appeared relaxed during warm-ups and waved to spectators as she rehearsed. After her carefree short program, she entered the rink with a score of 76.59. Liu looked relaxed and energetic during her routine, sailing through a triple lutz and a triple salchow. She had a big smile on her face throughout the event and the crowd roared every time she landed a jump.
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Liu appeared particularly relaxed during her choreographed step sequences, finishing the routine triumphantly as her family stood for a standing ovation.
Liu’s score was 150.20, for a total score of 226.79.
“That’s what the fuck I’m talking about!” ” she screamed into the camera after finishing her skate. She hopped off the ice to hug her coaches and was heard saying, “That was so great!” as they handed her their skate pads. Glenn and Liu were also seen hugging.
“I was so calm when I started,” Liu said after the competition. “I have this breathing technique that I use during this program, and I just made sure to focus on being as gentle as possible and looking into the crowd during all of my transitions.”
“I did that, and I felt everyone’s energy. I felt my energy,” she said, adding that she felt like she “got it all out there.”
Asked if she was glad to have returned to the sport in 2024 after retiring at 16 following the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, Liu said: “It was just right.”
Sakamoto received silver for her skate to a medley of Edith Piaf songs. She missed a triple jump but otherwise skated cleanly and hugged Liu after she came off the ice.
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Nakai struggled with some of her jumps, but the high level of difficulty of her routine meant she still took home the bronze medal. Liu and Nakai also hugged after Nakai’s score was read.
The United States also won gold in the team skating competition at the 2026 Milan Winter Games in Cortina.
