Three Asian Women Skaters Made History At The Olympics By Dominating The Podium At The Women’s Free Skate
In a night where true Olympic spirit and sportsmanship shone through, US figure skater Alysa Liu and Japanese skaters Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai took the top honors.
History was made again at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics' women’s free skate event with an all-Asian women podium.
On Thursday, Feb. 19, in a night where true Olympic spirit and sportsmanship shone through, US figure skater Alysa Liu and Japanese skaters Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai took the top honors.
Liu won gold, ending Team USA’s 20-year-long Olympic medal drought in the women’s individual figure skating event.
The last American to medal in the women’s individual event was Sasha Cohen, who took home the silver during the 2006 Turin Olympics.
Liu was the youngest-ever skater to become a US national champion at 13 years old.
She also competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics at 16 years old, finishing sixth.
Shortly after, Liu announced her retirement and walked away from the sport due to burnout and mental fatigue.
Her comeback during the 2024/2025 season and the lead up to the 2026 Games has been both meteoric and completely on her terms.
Liu said she’s the one calling the shots on everything, from her choreography to music to costumes and schedules.
Her joyful and carefree attitude has been in sharp contrast to the crippling Olympic pressures often faced by athletes.
“These titles are huge, but I don’t want them to overshadow who I am and what I do and what I am all about,” Liu said. “Winning isn’t all that, and neither is losing.”
“I don’t need this [medal] but what I needed was the stage. And I got that. So I was all good no matter what happened. If I fell on every jump I would still be wearing this dress, so it’s all good,” Liu, who was see on camera smiling and laughing, as well as cheering both her teammates and competitors, said.
"I love that Alysa is showing the entire world, and especially our skating world, that there is more than one way to win," Johnny Weir, a two-time Olympian and figure skating commentator for this year’s Games, said.
“What makes her attitude toward the sport so incredible is she’s able to see it as not like pressure... Of course, there’s pressure... but as like pure enjoyment.” fellow US teammate Amber Glenn said.
Also among the winners was silver medalist Sakamoto, a decorated and beloved athlete in the figure skating community.
Sakamoto, a now three-time Olympic medalist, expressed her interest in transitioning to coaching back in her hometown of Kobe, Japan.
Meanwhile, Nakai's legacy may have just begun.
The 17-year-old was the youngest woman ice skating competitor this Olympics.
Her skate during her short program was a breath of fresh air, catapulting her to the top of the standings after the first half, achieving third overall.
"When the scores came out, I couldn't tell where my ranking was… I thought I didn't make it.” Nakai said. “[But] when I looked next to my name, it had a three next to it. That's when I finally realized it meant a bronze medal. I was really surprised, and honestly, I even wondered if it was real."
Many fans also noted the wholesome moment of Liu embracing Nakai after Nakai found out she won the bronze medal.
All three athletes were invited to perform in the figure skating Olympic gala on Saturday, Feb, 21, a night of fun showcasing a longstanding tradition.
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Steph Lu
Steph Lu
Steph Lu
