In a field stacked with Olympic hopefuls and past champions, Alysa Liu completed her remarkable comeback arc with a dramatic victory in Nagoya, Japan — her first Grand Prix Final title and another milestone in a season that already includes a world crown and a Skate America win. Amber Glenn fought her way to a 4th-place finish after a missed triple Axel in the short program had her in 6th.

Liu, second after the short program, delivered a 146.70-point free skate built on ease, speed, and confident triple jumps to finish third in the segment but first overall with 222.49 points. Her relaxed, free-skating style, a stark contrast to the pressure-laden days of her teenage rise, has made her one of the most dangerous competitors on the circuit. When she’s clean, few can match her blend of technical command and performance flair. With this win, the 20-year-old American further strengthens her case as a top contender for Milan Cortina 2026.

Seventeen-year-old Ami Nakai claimed silver with 220.89 points, continuing her breakout debut season at the senior level. Her free skate earned 146.98, highlighted by her aggressive approach to the triple Axel — a risk that has helped redefine Japan’s depth but still can swing her results segment-to-segment. She held her ground under pressure and outscored Liu and Sakamoto technically in the free. For Nakai, who stunned the field by winning Grand Prix France earlier this season, this silver medal firmly places her in the conversation for one of Japan’s three Olympic spots.

Three-time world champion, Kaori Sakamoto, mounted the charge of the night, winning the free skate with 149.40 points and surging from 5th after the short to take bronze overall with 218.80. Her Piaf-themed program showcased the maturity and command that has defined the final competitive season of her career. Though she narrowly missed the top two, Sakamoto’s standout free reminded everyone that she remains one of the sport’s great closers and a leading Olympic medal favorite.

Just off the podium, Glenn finished fourth with 211.50 after a statement-making free skate where she showed fight and fire, scoring 144.65. The reigning U.S. champion came in as the defending Grand Prix Final gold medalist, but a mistake in the short program singling a planned triple Axel limited her climb after the short program. Glenn’s trajectory toward Milan remains upward as she continues to one-up her own ceiling technically and emotionally.

Early leader Mone Chiba placed fifth with 210.22 after a tough free skate that earned 132.95 a with two-point deduction. The 2025 world bronze medalist — the only woman to qualify for the Final with two Grand Prix wins this fall — entered the week as a title favorite and still walked away with valuable evidence that she can contend with the very best. Chiba, who trains in Kyoto and grew up idolizing Yuzuru Hanyu, remains a central figure in Japan’s deep Olympic selection race, with strengths in consistency, glide, and an expressive Romeo-and-Juliet free.

Rounding out the field, Rinka Watanabe finished sixth with 207.14, scoring 136.46 in the free skate. Known for her triple Axel firepower, she showed flashes of brilliance but lacked the precision needed to keep pace in a field decided by razor-thin margins. With another Final appearance and strong Grand Prix season behind her, she’s still well in the mix for Milan — especially if she can stabilize her audacious jump layout.

When the dust settled, six women finished within 15 points, proof of how tight and thrilling women’s skating has become heading into the Olympic cycle. If this Final was a preview, the 2026 women’s podium might come down to who delivers when it matters, not who can do the most, but who can do it clean.