2025 ISU World Champion Alysa Liu (USA) took the gold medal on Saturday following an exciting Women’s Free Skating as competition wrapped up at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Nagoya. The Women delivered a fascinating battle for the medals in front of 10,000 fans at the sold-out IG Arena.  

World Champion Alysa Liu earns first Grand Prix Final title

Alysa Liu keeps collecting titles. In her first ISU Grand Prix Final, the reigning World Champion skated off with the top honors in what was a turbulent event with a lot of movement in the standings. Ami Nakai (JPN) was another newcomer in the Final and took silver having won bronze a year ago in the Junior Final. Japanese skating icon Kaori Sakamoto rose from fifth to take the bronze medal in what was her sixth and last ISU Grand Prix Final as she plans to retire after this season. 

Alysa Liu (USA) took gold in the Women's event at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Nagoya (JPN) © ISU

“I want to see you standing and dancing” was Liu’s message for the fans that was shown on the screen and she owned the rink the moment she started her upbeat performance to “MacArthur Park Suite”. As Liu hit seven triple jumps, level four-spins and footwork the fans in the arena clapped along. 

“I’ve really loved the crowd, it is so supportive,” she said. They’ve started clapping at my second spin already.” The 20-year-old set a season’s best with 146.70 points and moved up from second place to first to take the title with 222.49 points. 

“My performance definitely does give me confidence in my stamina and in my consistency,” the Grand Prix Skate America Champion said. “I think a lot of things can happen in between now and the Olympics. I still have Nationals, they (Nakai and Sakamoto) still have Nationals. I'll just keep working. I feel good today but I don't know if I'll feel good tomorrow.”

She is preparing to reveal her new Lady Gaga Free Skating at the US Nationals in January.  

“I already have it, it’s already done. Just haven’t shown it,” Liu revealed. “Now I’m keeping it a secret. I’m waiting for the dress and the competition to do it!”

Nakai landed a beautiful triple Axel right out of the gate in her program to “What a Wonderful World” and followed up with five clean triples and strong spins to score 146.98 points for a total of 220.89 points. 

Ami Nakai (JPN) finished with the silver medal in the Women's event at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Nagoya (JPN) © ISU

“I completely exceeded my expectations,” Nakai said. “I never thought I'd even make it onto the podium, so I'm really surprised and happy to receive second place. I landed the triple Axel, but made a mistake, so I thought I wouldn't get that high a score. My honest impression is that it was a great experience. I was really happy to be able to perform well in front of so many people.”

Sakamoto stood in fifth place after doubling her Lutz in the Short Program. She came out looking for redemption and got it. Skating to an Edith Piaf medley, the three-time ISU World Champion delivered a great performance that was highlighted by seven triples. She won the Free Skating with 149.40 points and jumped on to the podium with 218.80 points overall. 

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) took the bronze in the Women's event at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Nagoya (JPN) © ISU

“Today, in order to erase the disappointment of yesterday, I focused as much as I could and performed with the determination to skate my own style,” Sakamoto explained. “I rewatched the video of yesterday and reviewed it once more, determined to make sure I didn't make those kinds of mistakes or overlook anything today, so I left the tears for yesterday and did my best today.  

“Today, in this packed venue, so many people cheered me on and applauded me, and I couldn't have asked for a happier moment.”

2025 ISU Grand Prix Final Champion Amber Glenn (USA) recovered from the Short Program to land her triple Axel and moved up from sixth to fourth place with 211.50 points. Reigning ISU World bronze medalist Mone Chiba (JPN) on the other hand fell twice and dropped from first to fifth (210.22 points). Rinka Watanabe (JPN) finished sixth with 207.14 points.

ISU Grand Prix Final schedule:

Thursday, December 4: Pairs & Men’s Short Programs, Rhythm Dance
 Friday December 5: Pairs Free Skating, Women’s Short Program
 Saturday, December 6: Men’s & Women’s Free Skating
 Sunday, December 7: Exhibition Gala
 

ISU Grand Prix Standings

Check out the road to the ISU Grand Prix Final:

Men                               Women                    Pairs                      Ice Dance

For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit here.