The 2026 Winter Olympics women’s singles figure skating event concluded with a stunning turnaround as Alysa Liu (USA) stormed from third place to capture the Olympic title. The final took place at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, where Liu’s “near-flawless” free skate propelled her past Japan’s top contenders to secure a historic victory for Team USA.
A night of pure SHOWTIME ✨⛸️
— ISU Figure Skating (@ISU_Figure) February 19, 2026
Olympic moments, pressure, and movement on the podium: unforgettable.
🥇 Alysa Liu 🇺🇸
🥈 Kaori Sakamoto 🇯🇵
🥉 Ami Nakai 🇯🇵#ISUShowtime #FigureSkating #Olympics #MilanoCortina2026 pic.twitter.com/gVlB0n3trG
Japan maintained a strong presence on the podium, with three-time World Champion Kaori Sakamoto taking the silver and 17-year-old rising star Ami Nakai who led after the short program earning the bronze medal in her Olympic debut.
Final Results – Women’s Singles
| Position | Skater | Country | Total Score | Notes |
| Gold | Alysa Liu | USA | 226.79 | First US woman champion since Sarah Hughes (2002). |
| Silver | Kaori Sakamoto | Japan | 224.90 | Near-perfect routine to a medley of Edith Piaf songs. |
| Bronze | Ami Nakai | Japan | 219.16 | Successfully landed a Triple Axel; led Short Program. |
| 4th | Mone Chiba | Japan | 217.88 | Consistent performance to keep Japan in the top 5. |
| 5th | Amber Glenn | USA | 214.91 | Massive climb from 13th place with a landed Triple Axel. |
Alysa Liu’s “MacArthur Park” Comeback
Entering the free skate in third place, Liu skated a joyful and technically precise program to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park.” She hit every jump—including a signature Triple Lutz—and earned a career-best free skate score of 150.20. Her victory completes one of the greatest comebacks in the sport, as she had retired at age 16 before returning to the ice two years ago.
ALYSA LIU YOU ARE UNBELIEVABLE. 😍 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/3btj1WEQCp
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 19, 2026
Ami Nakai’s Bronze Debut
The 17-year-old Ami Nakai entered the final as the favorite after a brilliant short program. While she landed her high-risk Triple Axel, a few minor technical errors in the latter half of her routine allowed the veterans to overtake her. Nevertheless, her bronze medal confirms her status as the new face of Japanese skating and a major force for the future.
Also read: Mari Fukada Wins Gold in Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle at Winter Olympics 2026
Event Summary
The event was characterized by high technical difficulty and emotional finishes. Beyond the medalists, Team USA’s Amber Glenn provided a highlight of the night by landing a Triple Axel to surge from 13th to 5th place. Japan’s dominance in depth was also evident, placing three skaters in the top four.
The 2026 Games will be remembered as the moment the “Blade Angels” (Liu, Glenn, and Levito) finally ended the U.S. women’s 20-year medal drought, while Nakai’s debut signaled a bright new era for Japan.
