On February 6, American figure skater Alysa Liu delivered a stellar performance in the 2026 Winter Olympics Figure Skating Team Event, securing a crucial second-place finish. This contribution, paired with the efforts of teammates Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito, propelled Team USA to the top of the podium for the Olympic gold on February 8. While Liu is celebrated as the youngest national champion in U.S. history, she has also gained attention for being a devoted Chainsaw Man enthusiast—a passion epitomized by her affection for Pochita, the deceptively powerful canine companion of the series’ lead, Denji.
Shortly before the opening ceremonies, Liu shared an Instagram story featuring her clutching a charming Pochita plush. This same mascot accompanied her throughout her media appearances at the games. For those unfamiliar with Tatsuki Fujimoto’s dark fantasy manga, Pochita is the Chainsaw Devil who fuses with Denji’s heart, serving as the emotional core of the protagonist’s tumultuous journey.
Liu’s professional accolades are nothing short of extraordinary. After placing sixth in the singles competition at the 2022 Beijing Games, she went on to earn bronze at the 2022 ISU World Championships. This victory ended a drought for U.S. women on the world podium that had lasted since 2016. Beyond her Olympic success, she is a four-time Challenger Series champion and a multi-time Grand Prix medalist. Phillip DiGuglielmo, who has coached Liu throughout various stages of her career, praised her technical virtuosity in an interview with ELLE.
“Alysa possesses an unparalleled understanding of her own movement. When we refine a jump’s technique, it’s a genuine collaboration. It’s never a matter of me simply issuing commands; she is deeply involved in the ‘feeling’ and the aesthetics of the sport.”
Despite the triumph of winning gold, the celebration hit a small snag when Liu’s medal was damaged shortly after the ceremony. In a candid interview, she recounted the mishap: “I was celebrating, jumping around, and it just slipped right off the ribbon. It took a bit of a hit and got dented. I actually grew fond of it even when it was detached, but the officials required me to trade it in for a repair.”
Andrea Francisi, the chief operations officer for Milan Cortina, assured athletes that investigations into the structural integrity of the medals would be conducted. True to their word, Liu received her pristine replacement gold medal today. While her athletic milestones—including being named to the 2019 Time 100 Next—cement her legacy in sports, her affinity for anime and her creative Saiki K. cosplays make her an exceptionally relatable figure for fans worldwide.
Source: Polygon
