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From left to right, silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto of Japan, gold medalist Alysa Liu of the United States, and bronze medalist Ami Nakai of Japan, jump on the podium to receive their medals after competing in the women's free skate program in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. | Stephanie Scarbrough
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Alysa Liu won gold in the women’s free skate at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on Thursday, becoming the first American woman to do so in 24 years.
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Gold medalist Alysa Liu of the United States displays her medal after competing in the women's free skate program in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. | Natacha Pisarenko
Sarah Hughes was the last American woman to be crowned Olympic champion back in 2002 in Salt Lake City — three years before Liu was born. Four years later, Sasha Cohen was the last American woman to medal in the event at the 2006 Torino Olympics.
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai won silver and bronze, respectively.
American Amber Glenn overcame her disappointing short skate program that landed her in 13th to sit in first for much of Thursday until Japan’s Mone Chiba and then teammate Liu passed her.
Glenn, the reigning U.S. champion, finished fifth and fellow American Isabeau Levito finished 12th.
Alysa Liu’s comeback
In April 2022, 16-year-old Liu walked away from figure skating.
Already the youngest woman to win the U.S. figure skating championships at age 13 and a 2022 Olympian, Liu felt “so satisfied with how my skating career has gone,” she said in an Instagram post announcing her retirement, per NBC Sports.
“Now that I’m finally done with my goals in skating I’m going to be moving on with my life,” Liu said.
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Alysa Liu of the United States competes during the women's figure skating free program at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. | Christophe Ena
But after two years away from the sport, Liu rediscovered her passion for skating on the ski slopes, she told U.S. Figure Skating. The then-teenager realized she hadn’t felt that same adrenaline since her skating career and announced her return in March 2024.
A year later, Liu won gold in both the short and free programs at the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships, per Golden Skate.
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