You're reading: CNN: Alina Zagitova becomes first Russian to win gold after intense skating final

CNN: Alina Zagitova becomes first Russian to win gold after intense skating final

By CNN.

Published Feb. 23, 2018 at 10:31 am

Russia's Alina Zagitova competes in the women's single skating free skating of the figure skating event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung on February 23, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Roberto SCHMIDT

Photo by AFP

Alina Zagitova has won gold in the women’s ice skating, becoming the first Russian athlete to win the top medal at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

After a stunning showdown at the Gangneung Ice Arena, the 15-year-old took the top spot after her rival, 18-year-old fellow Russian Evgenia Medvedeva, just couldn’t quite catch her.