Alysa Liu’s comeback to figure skating has been nothing short of extraordinary. Despite her coaches’ initial hesitation, the 19-year-old returned to the ice and captured her first world championship, becoming the first American woman to win the title in 19 years. Liu, who dethroned three-time defending champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan, described the victory as “insane.”
“I haven’t even been training for a whole year yet. I never would have expected to do this well. I’m really proud of myself and my team,” Liu shared. This win marked her first world championship since retiring at 16, making her emotional and reflective about her journey.
Liu’s story is remarkable, having become the youngest U.S. champion at just 13 and competing in the 2022 Beijing Olympics. However, the pressures of competitive skating led her to step away from the sport, craving a more normal life with her family. “Back then, I really just wanted to be with my siblings and make memories,” she recalled.
Her time away from skating was transformative. Liu admitted to even disliking parts of the sport due to its intense demands. A spontaneous skiing trip to Lake Tahoe reignited her passion. “It’s so similar to skating, and that was the first time I felt that since quitting,” she said, leading her to return to the ice.
Her victory in Boston held deep emotional significance, especially after the tragic plane crash earlier this year that claimed the lives of young skaters, coaches, and family members. Liu dedicated her win to their memory, emphasizing the tight-knit nature of the figure skating community.
Looking ahead, Liu is eager to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. “I’m really excited. I hope I’m there. I’m pretty confident in my team moving forward,” she said, visualizing strong performances she hopes to showcase on the Olympic stage.
With renewed joy and determination, Liu continues to push boundaries—not just in skating but also in life. In 2023, she joined an expedition to Mount Everest’s base camp, where she humorously acknowledged that while she’s comfortable with ice, she’d prefer to stick with hiking rather than summiting Everest.
