Evan Lysacek became the first American man since Brian Boitano in 1988 to win the Olympic figure skating gold, upsetting defending champion Evgeni Plushenko on Thursday night in Vancouver.
Lysacek, the reigning world champion, posted a career-best score of 257.67, 1.31 better than the Russian, who took home silver. Daisuke Takahashi of Japan claimed the bronze, becoming the first male from his country to ever medal in figure skating at the Winter Games.
Plushenko had come out of retirement for the sole purpose of defending his crown, but despite a terrific routine — he was the final skater of the night — he couldn't outdo Lysacek.
The first of the title contenders to take to the ice, Lysacek played it safe throughout much of his program. But the moves he made were "technically perfect," according to The Associated Press. "His jumps were done with the control and dependability of a fine Swiss timepiece, and his spins were so well-centered you could see the tight little circle of his tracings clear across the ice."
When the Chicago-area native landed his final jump, it was clear he couldn't have been happier with his routine. With the final notes of his music played, Lysacek pumped his fists in excitement. He screamed out "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" before skating to center ice and blowing kisses to the appreciative crowd.
Lysacek's medal was the first Olympic gold ever won by his longtime coach Frank Carroll.
American teammate Johnny Weir finished sixth, while 24-year-old Jeremy Abbott ended up ninth.
