Alysa Liu didn’t just win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics—she also delivered one of the Games’ most heartwarming moments.
After final results were announced at Milano Ice Skating Arena on Thursday, Friday 19, confirming that Liu, 20, had secured gold and Japan’s Ami Nakai, 17, had taken bronze, the American skater immediately rushed across the ice to embrace her fellow competitor. And it wasn’t just a hug—Liu squeezed Nakai so tight, lifting her off the ground at one point.
For Liu, the moment was simple. She told PEOPLE she has competed against Nakai several times in the past and genuinely admires her. “She’s just so cute,” Liu says. “She’s so happy on the ice.” She added that she “could tell” Nakai loves to skate and was “really happy with her scores,” which made the celebration feel natural. “I was like, ‘I gotta celebrate like she did,’” Liu explained.
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The spontaneous hug quickly went viral, with fans praising the wholesome show of sportsmanship.
“Alysa Liu setting the standard for sportsmanship and joy,” one TikTok user wrote.
Another shared, “Alysa has to be one of the most likable athletes I’ve ever watched.”
“This is what America is supposed to be about. Winning and embracing your opponent. Respect,” noted a third.
READ MORE: Olympic Figure Skater Alysa Liu Wasn’t Allowed to Keep Broken Gold Medal — Here’s Why
The hug capped off a whirlwind week for Liu. Just days earlier, she helped Team USA capture gold in the figure skating team event—a medal she famously damaged during her enthusiastic celebration. “I was just jumping up and down, as one does to celebrate, and it just dropped,” she said. “It just literally fell off of the ribbon. It got very scratched up…pretty dented.” Though she admitted, “I actually liked it when it was off the ribbon, but that’s not allowed,” Olympic officials required her to exchange it for a new one.
Her individual gold made history, too. “I literally can’t process this,” Liu said shortly after her victory on Thursday, becoming the first American woman to win Olympic singles gold since 2002. Reflecting on her performance, she shared, “The feelings I felt out there were calm, happy, and confident.”
A prodigy who won her first U.S. title at 13, Liu stunned fans by retiring after the 2022 Beijing Olympics to focus on life beyond skating. She enrolled at UCLA and stepped away from elite competition before returning in 2024—this time on her own terms. As she’s said to the outlet, “Taking breaks is okay,” adding, “Sometimes, taking a step back is what’s needed to see the full picture.”