MILAN, Italy — Alysa Liu saw off her Japanese rivals to claim America’s first Olympic women’s figure skating gold in a generation on Thursday, as the USA beat fierce rivals Canada in the women’s ice hockey final.
Liu danced her way to the top of the podium in the free skate, surging from third place behind Japan’s Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto after Tuesday’s short program.
Liu, the reigning world champion, scored 150.20 for a career-best overall total of 226.79 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, denying Sakomoto a fairytale triumph in her final competition.
The 20-year-old put the US women back on top of the podium in the women’s singles event for the first time since Sarah Hughes took gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.
It is a second gold for Liu in Italy after she helped the US capture the team event.
“I was so calm when I started. I have this breathing technique that I use throughout this program, and I was just making sure to lock in on that, be as smooth as I can and look out into the crowd during all my transitions,” Liu said.
“I did that, and I felt everyone’s energy. I felt my energy. I feel good, I feel confident and I put it all out there.”
Sakamoto, 25, scored 224.90 to finish second, ending her Olympic career with three silvers and a bronze, while 17-year-old Nakai (219.16) rounded off the podium.
Earlier on a magical evening for the United States, Megan Keller’s spectacular overtime strike secured a 2-1 win over defending champions Canada in the final of the women’s ice hockey.
It was the first time the Americans have won the women’s title since the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
