USA’s First Gold Since 2002

The Milano Ice Skating Arena erupted in a historic celebration on Thursday night as Alysa Liu delivered a performance for the ages. Clad in a sparkling golden dress, the 20-year-old American secured the Olympic gold medal, marking the first time a U.S. woman has stood atop the Olympic podium in singles skating since Sarah Hughes in 2002. In a finale defined by high-stakes drama and emotional storytelling, Liu fended off a fierce challenge from Japan’s elite to claim her place in history.

A Golden Performance

Entering the Free Skating in third place, Liu skated with a sense of joy and freedom that captivated both the judges and the audience. Performing to Donna Summer’s “Mac Arthur Park Suite,” she executed seven flawless triple jumps, intricate spins, and world-class footwork. The performance earned her a season’s best of 150.20 points and a personal best total of 226.79.

“My story is more important than anything to me,” Liu said after her victory. “I was feeling calm, happy, and confident. I want to be a storyteller, and I’m glad I could share this journey with everyone watching.”

The Podium: Names and Scores

• Alysa Liu (USA): 226.79 points
• Kaori Sakamoto (JPN): 224.90 points
• Ami Nakai (JPN): 219.16 points
• Mone Chiba (JPN): 217.88 points
• Amber Glenn (USA): 214.91 points
• Adeliia Petrosian (AIN): 214.53 points

The Battle for Silver and Bronze

Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto took the silver medal, adding to the bronze she won in Beijing 2022. Her program to “Hymne à l’amour” was powerful and precise until a costly wobble on her second triple flip prevented her from completing a planned combination. Despite the frustration of missing the gold, Sakamoto expressed pride in her growth, noting, “The fact that I can feel frustrated shows how much I’ve grown over these past four years.”

The bronze went to 17-year-old Ami Nakai, the youngest competitor in the event. In her Olympic debut, Nakai landed a beautiful triple Axel but struggled with a doubled toe loop later in the program. Initially confused by the scoreboard, Nakai was stunned to realize she had secured a medal. “I even wondered if it was real,” she admitted.

Notable Comebacks

The night also belonged to Amber Glenn (USA), who delivered a sensational Free Skating—ranking third in the segment—to climb from 13th place all the way to 5th. Landing a powerful triple Axel, Glenn proved her resilience on the world’s biggest stage. Meanwhile, Adeliia Petrosian made history as the only skater to attempt a quadruple jump, though a fall on the quad toe loop kept her in 6th place.

Ultimately, Alysa Liu’s victory was more than just a win for Team USA; it was the completion of a remarkable personal journey from retirement back to the very top of the world.

Source: article on isu-skating.com, published February 19, 2026.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer