FKatie Stratman-Imagn Images
Figure skater Alysa Liu is the talk of the Olympics world, at least in the United States, as she became the first American woman to win Olympic gold in figure skating since 2002 after taking home the prize in the Free Skate competition. Liu’s gold medal winning performance was set to o “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer.
The 20-year-old former child prodigy has quickly endeared herself to the masses for being unapologetically herself, which has translated to an infectious lightness on the ice that the other uber-focused skaters simply don’t have. Liu said she didn’t care about medaling, she just wanted to be out there skating, and that very attitude is likely what led to her competing as such a high level.
I’ve become fascinated by Alysa Liu’s story from a sports psychology lens. I’m not sure I’ve seen a talented young athlete completely rid themselves of external pressures and attain the level of athletic & artistic freedom she has. This woman is a mental Goliath.
— Jordan Patu (@Jordan_Patu) February 19, 2026
ALYSA LIU'S GOLD-WINNING FREE SKATE ROUTINE! ⭐️ #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/mH8tZkFCdK
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 20, 2026
Not only did Liu become the first American to win a gold medal in the event since Sarah Hughes in 2002, but she’s also the first American skater to win an Olympic medal in women’s singles since Sasha Cohen’s silver 2006.
While Liu, at just 13-years-old, became the youngest woman to land a triple axel in international competition, she later stepped away from the sport to focus on herself and her life before returning to the sport when she was 18. During that time off, she was able to discover what her interests are outside of figure skating, with one of those hobbies being manga and anime.
Olympic gold medal winning figure skater Alysa Liu names her top five favorite mange/anime series
In no particular order, here are Alysa Liu’s top five favorite manga/anime (for context: manga are basically graphic novels and anime are animated series): Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, Attack on Titan, Madoka Magica, and Soul Eater.
Shout out massive JJK & Chainsaw Man Manga and Anime Fan Alysa Liu for winning Gold in Women's figure skating https://t.co/Dhe3oMIWE1 pic.twitter.com/Qs8L1S1xEn
— 𝕍𝕁 ☆ (@VjDontMiss) February 19, 2026
In addition to her gold medal in the single’s Free Skate, Liu also helped lead Team USA to a gold medal in the team event alongside fellow Olympians Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, Ellie Kam, Daniel O’Shea, Madison Chock, and Evans Bates.