Alysa Liu wins first U.S. women's figure skating gold in 24 years

The 20-year-old reigning world champion dazzled with a flawless free skate performance in Milan, Italy.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Alysa Liu, a 20-year-old American figure skater, captured the United States' first Olympic gold medal in women's figure skating in nearly 24 years. Liu skated with poise, grace and energy, scoring a season-best 150.20 points in the free skate to finish first overall with 226.79 points. She is the first American woman to win the women's singles figure skating Olympic gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002.

Why it matters

Liu's gold medal victory ends a long drought for the U.S. in women's figure skating, a sport in which the country has historically excelled. Her performance showcases the continued strength of American figure skating and the emergence of a new generation of talent.

The details

Wearing a gold sequined dress, Liu dazzled the crowd in Milan with a dynamic and flawless routine set to Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park." Though not the most technically difficult program, Liu's execution was superb, earning her a season-best score in the free skate that was more than a point higher than silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto of Japan.

  • Liu won the gold medal on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
  • The last time an American woman won the Olympic gold medal in figure skating was in 2002, when Sarah Hughes triumphed in Salt Lake City.

The players

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old American figure skater who won the gold medal in the women's singles event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

Sarah Hughes

An American figure skater who won the Olympic gold medal in women's singles at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Kaori Sakamoto

A Japanese figure skater who won the silver medal in the women's singles event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

Ami Nakai

A 17-year-old Japanese figure skater who won the bronze medal in the women's singles event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so honored to have this and be alongside the people who have won it in the past. They're incredible. It's crazy that I have the same thing they do now.”

— Alysa Liu (UPI)

“I'm so happy with the way I skated today. The crowd was incredible, and the skate went exactly how I wanted it to.”

— Alysa Liu (UPI)

What’s next

Liu's gold medal victory will likely cement her status as one of the top figure skaters in the world and a favorite to defend her title at the 2030 Winter Olympics.

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's triumph marks a significant moment for American figure skating, ending a 24-year drought for the U.S. in the women's event. Her dynamic and flawless performance showcases the continued strength of the sport in the United States and the emergence of a new generation of talent.