Overview
- Liu totaled 226.79 after a near-perfect free skate to climb from third in the short program, beating Kaori Sakamoto (224.90) and Ami Nakai (219.16).
- The title is the first Olympic gold for an American woman in figure skating since Sarah Hughes in 2002.
- Sakamoto took silver in her final season before retirement, while 17-year-old teammate Ami Nakai earned bronze in her Olympic debut.
- Neutral Russian entrant Adelija Petrossjan fell on a triple toe loop in the free skate and placed sixth with 214.53.
- Germany-born Julia Sauter debuted for Romania in 17th after gaining citizenship last year and serving as the delegation’s flagbearer.