How do you turn a shaky start into Olympic glory? Just ask Alysa Liu.
Coming into the free skate in third place, Liu didn’t look like the favorite.
A few mistakes in the short program had put her on the back foot.
But champions don’t panic—they respond. And she did, delivering a breathtaking routine that had the crowd roaring.
Dressed in gold and skating to Donna Summer, Liu scored a stunning 150.20 in her free skate, finishing with 226.79 overall.
Enough to edge past Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, who claimed silver in her final performance before retirement. Teen sensation Ami Nakai took bronze.
Comeback Gold Triumph
What made the difference? “Her routine was simply more difficult,” one analyst noted, pointing to higher technical elements.
In simple terms—harder jumps, cleaner execution.
And the comeback story? Even sweeter. Liu had stepped away from the sport at 16 after missing out in Beijing 2022. Now, she’s back—on top.
She’s also the first American woman to win Olympic gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002. Not bad for someone once doubted.
So, what’s the lesson here? Sometimes, falling behind is exactly what you need… to come back unforgettable.
