Alysa Liu wins first U.S. gold in women's individual figure skating since 2002

American figure skater Alysa Liu captured the gold medal in women's individual figure skating at the Winter Olympics on Thursday, ending a 20-year drought for the United States in this prestigious event. The 17-year-old athlete's historic victory comes as Team USA celebrated multiple successes during the Olympic competition, with the women's ice hockey team also securing a win against their long-time rivals, Canada. Liu's performance marked the first time since 2002 that an American woman has claimed the top spot in individual figure skating, a significant achievement in the sport dominated by Russian and Japanese skaters in recent decades. The young champion's triumph was particularly noteworthy given the intense pressure and expectations surrounding her performance, as she carried the hopes of an entire nation eager to reclaim glory in one of the most-winter Olympic events.