MILAN, Italy – Alysa Liu has etched her name into Olympic history, securing the gold medal in women’s figure skating at the Milano Cortina Olympic Games on Thursday. The 20-year-old American delivered a stunning free skate, overcoming a strong challenge from a trio of Japanese skaters, ending a 24-year gold medal drought for the United States in this event.
Liu, who sat third after the short program, unleashed a powerful and technically proficient free skate, earning a score of 150.20 points. This brought her total score to 226.79, narrowly surpassing Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, who took silver with 224.90 points. Ami Nakai, at just 17 years old, claimed the bronze medal with a total score of 219.16, finishing ahead of fellow Japanese skater Mone Chiba, who finished fourth with 217.88 points.
A Bittersweet Finish for Sakamoto
The result marked a bittersweet conclude to Kaori Sakamoto’s competitive career. A three-time world champion, Sakamoto had hoped to finally capture the elusive Olympic gold. She also contributed to a stellar performance in the team event, securing a silver medal there as well. “Honestly, I really wanted to deliver a perfect performance here,” Sakamoto said, as reported by Kyodo News. “The parts I couldn’t execute perfectly were exactly the points that cost me the victory, so that was extremely painful and the tears just came.” She indicated this was her final competitive skate.
Nakai’s Breakthrough Performance
Ami Nakai’s bronze medal represents a significant breakthrough for the young skater. Coming into the Games with only one Grand Prix victory to her name, Nakai showcased her potential on the Olympic stage. Her strong short program performance, earning a personal best of 78.71 points, positioned her well for a medal, and she maintained that momentum through the free skate.
Challenges for the American Contingent
While Liu’s victory was a triumph for Team USA, the other American skaters faced a more challenging competition. Isabeau Levito finished eighth with 70.84 points in the short program, and Amber Glenn struggled with a doubled triple loop, ultimately placing 13th with 67.39 points. Glenn, visibly emotional after her skate, expressed frustration but remained determined. “I had it,” she told her coach, Damon Allen, who replied, “It’s not over.”
Swiss Skaters Finish Outside Top 20
The Swiss contingent also faced difficulties in Milan. Kimmy Repond and Livia Kaiser, who were 21st and 23rd respectively after the short program, finished 23rd and 21st overall. Livia Kaiser, the better-placed of the two after the short program, struggled with her opening jump, impacting her overall performance. Kaiser, a bronze medalist at the 2023 European Championships, finished with a total score of 159.54 points, while Repond improved to 171.52 points.
Liu’s Journey to Gold
Alysa Liu’s path to Olympic gold has been marked by both talent and resilience. Her victory is particularly significant as it ends the United States’ lengthy wait for a gold medal in women’s figure skating, a drought that stretched back to Tara Lipinski’s win in 1998. Liu’s performance in Milan demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure and solidify her position as a leading figure in the sport.
The competition at the Milano Cortina Olympics showcased the depth of talent in women’s figure skating, with Japan and the United States emerging as the dominant forces. The event provided thrilling moments and unforgettable performances, culminating in Liu’s historic victory.
What’s Next: The figure skating competition continues with the team event and other disciplines at the Milano Cortina Olympic Games. Fans can follow official updates and results on the official Olympics website: https://olympics.com/
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