Alysa Liu, born in Clovis, ends 20-year US figure skating drought with Olympic gold

Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
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• Liu wins Olympic gold; first American woman to win a world title since 2002.
• A week earlier Liu topped the short program in Milan, boosting her podium bid.
• After stepping away (including a ski trip), fans praised her comeback on X.

Alysa Liu accomplished a feat not seen in more than two decades, capturing a gold medal in women’s figure skating at the Winter Olympics — becoming the first American to do so since 2002.

According to NBC Sports, Liu is the first American woman to win a world title since Sarah Hughes in 2002. The last American woman to medal at the Olympics was Sasha Cohen, who won silver in 2006.

It capped off a remarkable stretch for the 20-year-old Liu, who was born in Clovis and now trains out of Oakland.

Just a week earlier, Liu placed first in the short program at an international event in Milan, putting herself in prime position for the podium.

Liu was visibly ecstatic after completing her free skate, appearing to realize in the moment that she had done enough to secure gold. As her scores were announced, the celebration began.

Soon after, fans flooded X — formerly known as Twitter — with congratulatory and heartfelt messages praising Liu’s performance and her inspiring comeback.

Liu had previously stepped away from competitive skating and even took a skiing trip that helped spark her desire to return to the ice.

That decision is now paying off in historic fashion.

Currently living in Oakland, Liu appears to be all smiles as she celebrates a long-awaited and well-earned triumph — again.