Alysa Liu Claims Historic Olympic Gold as Ami Nakai Shocks with Short Program
Alysa Liu stunned the figure skating field with a superb routine to win Olympic gold, while Japan's 17-year-old Ami Nakai burst to the top of the women's short program, injecting fresh drama into the medal chase.
Alysa Liu ends long U. S. drought with dramatic gold
Alysa Liu produced a closing performance that secured the top spot on the podium, delivering the first Olympic gold in women's figure skating for an American in 24 years. The victory also marked the first Olympic medal of any kind for a U. S. woman in singles figure skating since 2006. Her triumph put her atop the podium and added to a strong Day 13 for the United States at the Games.
The win pushed the U. S. gold total higher at these Games, contributing to a larger medal haul across disciplines. The broader competition day also featured a silver for a U. S. athlete in another sport, underscoring the wide-ranging drama of the session.
Ami Nakai sets up dramatic free skate after stunning short program
Ami Nakai, the 17-year-old who was the youngest competitor in the women's event, stormed to the top after the short program. A debutant on the world tour this season, Nakai started 18th of 29 competitors because of a lower world ranking but rose from the middle of the pack to lead the standings after a performance described as full of fun, energy and quality.
Nakai entered the Games with a season-best of 78. 00 and delivered a routine that included broad smiles and an exuberant punch of the air at the finish. Her surge has turned what was already a fascinating competition into a must-see free skate, with Nakai's closest domestic rival being Kaori Sakamoto. Sakamoto, in her final season and viewed as a leading contender, remains a heavyweight on paper; her presence — and the possibility of a Japanese podium sweep — now frames the free skate as the likely decider for medals.
Event ripple effects: speedskating and more add to Olympic drama
The night’s schedule offered more than figure skating fireworks. In speedskating, Jordan Stolz earned a silver in the men's 1500m, adding another medal to his Games total. Elsewhere on the program, other medal events produced dramatic moments that kept the evening tense for fans and competitors alike.
With the short program complete and the free skate looming, the women's figure skating podium remains in flux. Alysa Liu's gold capped a memorable stretch for the sport, but Ami Nakai's late climb and the presence of established contenders mean the final free skate will determine whether the headlines settle on historic American victory, Japanese dominance, or a different outcome entirely.
