American Alysa Liu, the new Olympic women's figure skating champion

The last evening where the medals were awarded was one with a lot of suspense. Alysa Liu, in third place after the short program, managed to win the Olympic title. The 20-year-old, who retired from the sport after the Beijing Olympics four years ago only to make a comeback, finished with a career-best 226.79 points.

Japan's Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto, in the top two spots after the short program, who skated right after her, each made a mistake in a jump sequence, and that made the difference in the medals.

Sakamoto, in her last Olympics, scored 224.90 points to win the silver, which adds to her bronze in Beijing. And Nakai, marking his first major competition, finished third with 219.16 points.

The emotions were mixed: joy for Liu, tears for Sakamoto, and again joy for Nakai.

Alysa Liu, Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai on the catwalk PHOTO Guliver/GettyImages

Alysa Liu thus breaks a series of victories by Russian skaters, who had won in 2014, 2018, 2022. It is also the first gold medal for an American woman after 24 years, Sarah Hughes won in 2002 in Salt Lake City.

Liu debuted at the 2022 Olympics at the age of 16, but after winning the bronze medal at the World Championships a few weeks later, he retired from the sport.

Alysa Liu, Olympic title after the world title

Alysa Liu in action PHOTO Guliver/GettyImages

She returned in 2024 after two seasons off, saying she rediscovered her love of skating and dedicated herself to the creative process, including music choices, choreography and costumes. In 2025, he prevailed at the World Championships in Boston, and now at the Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. The second gold award for Liu, after the one in the team competition.

Liu told Olympics.com earlier this season, “I chose to be here … I like that I was able to come back and choose my own destiny.”

Julia Sauter finished the women's competition in 17th position, the best ranking of a skater from Romania at the Olympic Games.