The Milano Ice Skating Arena witnessed a changing of the guard on Thursday, February 19, 2026, as Japan’s Ami Nakai secured the Olympic gold medal.
The 17-year-old phenom delivered a flawless free skate to maintain her lead from the short program and claim the top spot on the podium.
This victory marks the first time a Japanese woman has won the individual Olympic title since Shizuka Arakawa in 2006.
Japan’s dominance was on full display as veteran and three-time World Champion Kaori Sakamoto took home the silver medal.
Sakamoto delivered an emotional performance to “Time to Say Goodbye,” confirming her status as one of the sport’s all-time greats in her final Olympic appearance.
Together, Nakai and Sakamoto secured a historic 1-2 finish for their nation, solidifying Japan’s status as the global powerhouse of figure skating.
2026 Olympic Women’s Figure Skating Final Results:
- Gold: Ami Nakai (JPN) — 231.54 Total
- Silver: Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) — 229.12 Total
- Bronze: Alysa Liu (USA) — 222.85 Total
Alysa Liu Completes Miracle Comeback for Team USA
American star Alysa Liu captured the bronze medal, completing one of the most remarkable comeback stories in Olympic history.
After retiring at age 16 and returning to the ice only two years ago, Liu’s “Alysa 2.0” persona brought a new level of artistry and joy to the rink.
Her medal is the first individual Olympic podium for a US woman in two decades, ending a long-standing drought for the “Blade Angels.”
Olympics Women Figure Skating Gold Highlights and Scoring Breakdown
Ami Nakai’s technical score was bolstered by her signature triple Axel, a jump she landed with precision in both the short and free programs.
While Individual Neutral Athlete Adeliia Petrosian pushed the technical envelope with quadruple jump attempts, Nakai’s superior execution and program components carried the day. Fans can find official scoring sheets and full performance replays on the Official Olympics Results Page.
What Fans are Asking About Milano 2026
Social media is buzzing with questions regarding the future of the sport following the implementation of the new age minimum.
Many are also searching for “Amber Glenn Like a Prayer highlights” after the US Champion’s resilient performance in the free skate.
For a full breakdown of the schedule and upcoming Gala Exhibition, visit the ISU Figure Skating Home.
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