Figure skating-Liu shines, Malinin stumbles in drama-filled competition

MILAN, Feb 22 : Alysa Liu completed a remarkable career comeback to win the women's gold as her U.S. teammate Ilia Malinin endured a stunning collapse at an Olympic figure skating competition packed with surprises.

Liu, who stepped away from the sport aged just 16 after the 2022 Beijing Olympics citing burnout, returned two years later physically stronger and creatively refreshed. 

The Northern California native sealed the title with an electrifying free skate featuring seven clean triple jumps, then pointed skyward as the sold-out crowd leapt to their feet.

Kaori Sakamoto was heartbroken to only manage silver in her last Games, but Japanese figure skating is in good hands with 17-year-old Ami Nakai, who bagged bronze, and 20-year-old Mone Chiba, who finished fourth, making strong Olympic debuts. 

MALININ'S MISS  

Malinin's free skate unfolded in stark contrast to Liu's joyful celebration. 

A star-studded crowd came expecting an Olympic coronation for the two-times world champion, who has transformed the sport with his unparalleled aerial abilities, but it was not to be. 

Leading by a comfortable margin heading into the free skate, the trouble started when his planned quadruple Axel - a jump only he has ever landed in competition - turned into a single. Two falls followed, and Malinin dropped to eighth. 

"I blew it," he said immediately after. 

Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov capitalised to take the men's title, appearing momentarily stunned as the final standings confirmed the upset.

Malinin, 21, said mental fatigue played a role and noted he had received encouragement from American gymnast Simone Biles, who was in attendance for the free skate. 

Biles battled the "twisties" after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 before returning to the