Alysa Liu's Golden Free Skate Caps Dramatic Finish at 2026 Winter Olympics Women's Single Skating Free Skating
The 2026 Winter Olympics Women's Single Skating Free Skating final saw American Alysa Liu deliver a career-defining free skate, scoring 150. 20 to lift her to an overall 226. 79 and Olympic gold. The contest also underscored the early arrival of Japan's 17-year-old Ami Nakai, who stunned the field in the short program and left with a bronze medal.
2026 Winter Olympics Women's Single Skating Free Skating: Liu's comeback and scores
Liu entered the free skate in third place after struggles in the short program but produced what commentators called a showstopping routine. Her free skate score of 150. 20 vaulted her to the top with a final total of 226. 79, narrowly ahead of Kaori Sakamoto. Wearing a sparkly gold dress and skating to Donna Summer, Liu landed the elements that mattered and drew a standing ovation from the crowd. Her victory marks the first American Olympic champion in women's figure skating since 2002 and the first American medallist in the event since 2006.
Japan's young surge: Nakai's short program and the podium
Ami Nakai, the 17-year-old who stunned the field in the short program, had led the competition after that phase and carried momentum into the final standings to claim bronze. Nakai's early arrival on the Olympic stage was one of the defining storylines of the event, and her podium finish joined Kaori Sakamoto's silver as part of a strong showing by Japan in the women's final.
Sakamoto, skating what was noted as her final performance before retirement, took silver and completed a distinguished career that included multiple world titles. Her routine received positive grades across all elements in the free skate, while other contenders shuffled places: Mone Chiba finished fourth; Amber Glenn produced a dramatic climb from 13th to fifth after an excellent free skate; and Adeliia Petrosian placed sixth following a fall.
What the results mean and immediate aftermath
The meeting of experience and youth framed the outcome. Liu's comeback from a short-program setback to claim gold underscored a triumphant return to form, while Nakai's emergence — leading after the short and finishing on the podium — signaled a new presence on the Olympic stage. The women's final also carried emotional notes: Sakamoto closed her competitive career with a silver, and Liu's victory delivered a much-needed gold in singles for the United States after earlier disappointment in the men's event.
Beyond medals, the free skate produced memorable moments that will be replayed in highlight reels: a near-flawless championship routine from Liu, a composed farewell performance from Sakamoto, and the confirmation that Nakai's short-program surprise was no fluke. Together these developments reshaped expectations for the discipline and set up fresh storylines to follow as athletes and fans digest the results.
