Alysa Liu Stands 3rd as Nakai, Sakamoto Lead Olympic Figure Skating
The women’s figure skating competition at the Olympics saw Japan showcasing its talent at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. The event, which opened on Tuesday, highlighted impressive performances and positioned the United States strongly in the medal race.
Ami Nakai Takes the Lead
In an outstanding performance, 17-year-old Ami Nakai secured the top position in the short program with a score of 78.71 points. This marks her remarkable debut at the Olympics. Nakai’s impressive combination of confident jumps, including a triple Axel, and a polished presentation earned her praise.
“After my triple Axel went well, I just tried to stay in my skate,” Nakai shared through a translator. “I’m really pleased with the high score, especially on a stage like the Olympics.”
Kaori Sakamoto Shines in Second Place
Following closely behind is Kaori Sakamoto, who finished second with 77.23 points. Known for her speed and power, Sakamoto delivered an emotional short program titled “Time to Say Goodbye.” Her performance featured the highest program components score of the night.
A translator quoted Sakamoto after the event, stating, “There was a little bit of nerves. The first half, she was a little bit anxious. But as the music goes on, she was able to enjoy her performance.” Despite her score being lower than in the team event, she remains in contention for the free skate.
Alysa Liu Ranks Third
Alysa Liu completed her comeback with a strong skate, placing third with 76.59 points. This marks her return to the Olympics after stepping away from competitive skating post-Beijing. Liu expressed her excitement, saying, “I’m just really happy, and this moment is really exciting.”
Results Overview
- Ami Nakai – 1st place, 78.71 points
- Kaori Sakamoto – 2nd place, 77.23 points
- Alysa Liu – 3rd place, 76.59 points
- Mone Chiba – 4th place, 74.00 points
- Adeliya Petrosian – 5th place, strong technical score
Japan’s presence was further solidified with Mone Chiba finishing fourth, showcasing her recent strong performances. The competition remains fierce, and all eyes will be on the upcoming free skate segment.
