Alysa Liu Stuns the World: From Retirement to Champion in a Jaw-Dropping Comeback
Montreal, Canada
Alysa Liu just made the impossible happen—again. The 19-year-old figure skating prodigy, who retired from the sport three years ago, has pulled off one of the most sensational comebacks in sports history. On Friday, Liu became the first American woman in nearly two decades to win a world figure skating title, shocking both fans and critics alike.
“Even yesterday, I didn’t expect this,” Liu admitted, still processing the stunning victory. “I don’t set expectations anymore. I just focus on delivering my best performance—and I did exactly that today.”
Skating to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park Suite,” Liu delivered a mesmerizing free skate that left the crowd on their feet, roaring with every jump she landed. With a flawless routine and record-breaking scores in both the short program and free skate, Liu sealed her triumph with a total of 222.97 points—outpacing Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto by nearly five full points.
The victory carries a weight of nostalgia. Liu first made headlines in 2019 as the youngest skater ever to win a U.S. national title at just 13. She repeated the feat the following year, setting the stage for a future of dominance. But in 2022, after competing at the Beijing Olympics and securing a world championship medal, Liu shocked the skating world by announcing her retirement at just 16. At the time, she said she had achieved everything she wanted and was ready to move on.
Yet here she is, rewriting her own legacy.
“It means so much to me,” Liu said. “Everything I’ve been through—my last skating experience, my time away—this time around, I’m just so happy. And I’m proud I could give my best performances.”
Her victory capped an incredible week for U.S. women’s figure skating, with teammates Isabeau Levito and Amber Glenn finishing fourth and fifth, proving that American skating is back in full force. Meanwhile, in the men’s competition, Ilia Malinin leads heading into Saturday’s free skate, with hopes of securing another gold for Team USA.
Alysa Liu’s return isn’t just a comeback—it’s a revolution.
