Alysa Liu Shines in Remarkable Return to Figure Skating
BOSTON — Once upon a time, the future of U.S. women’s figure skating seemed to rest on the slender shoulders of a young prodigy named Alysa Liu. At just 13 years old, Liu made history by becoming the youngest woman to ever win the U.S. championships in 2019, captivating audiences with her talent and infectious smile. The bubbly girl from Oakland, California, quickly emerged as a beacon of hope for American figure skating, and in 2020, she successfully defended her title, solidifying her status as a rising star.
However, the journey was not without its challenges. At 15, Liu finished fourth in the U.S. championships, falling short of a three-peat. The following year, she exhibited remarkable poise amidst the pressure of the Beijing Winter Games but finished sixth in a competition overshadowed by Russian dominance. After a bronze medal at the world championships, Liu made the bold decision to retire in April 2022, citing burnout and a newfound priority on her happiness outside of the sport.
Fast forward nearly three years, and the 19-year-old Liu has defied expectations. On Friday, she claimed her first world championship title, breaking a 19-year gold medal drought for the United States in women’s singles figure skating. This triumph came after a two-plus year hiatus from the sport that once defined her.
“I tried to talk her out of it,” Liu’s coach, Phillip DiGuglielmo, remarked. “Nobody’s done this. Nobody walks away and comes back.” But Liu has returned, and she has returned stronger than ever. Her performances in both the short program and the free skate showcased her maturity, establishing her as a key contender for the upcoming Winter Olympics in just under 11 months. U.S. Figure Skating has the discretion to select whichever three women it desires for the Milan Games, independent of their world championship finishes. Nevertheless, Liu made a compelling case for herself with a display of growth as both a skater and a young woman.
After a captivating performance, she found herself overwhelmed with emotions. “What the hell? What the hell? What the hell?” Liu recalled, reflecting on her thoughts as the competition concluded. “I never have expectations coming into competitions anymore. It’s more about what I can put out performance-wise, and I really met my expectations on that part today.”
The culmination of the women’s singles event at TD Garden was a spectacle that kept the sellout crowd on the edge of their seats. Amber Glenn, the American favorite, set the tone with a powerful performance. Following a fall in the short program earlier in the week, Glenn was determined to prove her prowess. She came out with an emphatic free skate, executing her elements flawlessly and reclaiming her status as a formidable competitor, scoring 138.00 and temporarily taking the lead with a total of 205.65.
Following Glenn, three-time defending world champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan delivered a breathtaking performance that captivated the audience. Dressed in black to embody the essence of “All That Jazz” from Chicago, Sakamoto’s artistry and technical skill propelled her to a score of 217.98, momentarily dethroning Glenn.
American Isabeau Levito, who dazzled in her short program after recovering from a stress fracture, faced disappointment when she fell during her opening jump sequence in the free skate. Her elegant routine, while captivating, was unable to regain her earlier momentum, landing her in fourth place with a score of 209.84.
All eyes then turned to Liu, the final skater of the night. She seized the moment, performing as if it were her destiny. After an impressive short program earlier in the week, Liu solidified her championship with a mesmerizing free skate, ultimately achieving her first world title with an astounding score of 222.97. Sakamoto claimed silver, while Japan’s Mone Chiba took home bronze.
Liu’s performance was a testament to her readiness and resilience. The energy in TD Garden was palpable, as the audience felt the weight of the moment. “I really don’t think I wanted to do any competition before,” Liu shared after her short program. “Besides not wanting to do it, I definitely wasn’t ready for competitions ever, in my opinion.”
Interestingly, Liu had chosen the music for her routine, “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer, before even knowing the world championships would be held in Boston, or that Summer hailed from the area. The synchronicity felt almost intentional as she flawlessly executed a triple loop at the song’s crescendo. The arena resonated with claps and cheers, amplifying the atmosphere.
“People were standing up at the flying camel,” DiGuglielmo remarked, expressing his surprise at the audience’s excitement at a moment that typically lacked drama. But Liu’s performance was a crescendo of artistry, culminating in a series of breathtaking jumps that left no doubt she was in her element. As DiGuglielmo put it, “she was in the klurb.”
Liu’s remarkable journey has reshaped the narrative surrounding American women’s figure skating. With the absence of Russian competitors at the 2025 world championships, the door is open for a resurgence of U.S. dominance. Liu’s talent, experience, and newfound peace suggest she could very well be the first American woman to win Olympic gold in singles since 2002.
The true beauty of Liu’s story is that her fulfillment does not solely hinge on Olympic success. She skated with the freedom of someone unburdened by the fear of failure, embracing her passion with authenticity. As she glided across the ice, the crowd erupted with enthusiasm, and Liu’s infectious joy became evident with each graceful movement.
Ultimately, Alysa Liu’s performance was not just about winning a title; it was about reclaiming her identity and purpose in the sport she loves. As she slid across the ice on one knee, her hair sweeping the surface, it was clear: this was her moment on the grand stage of destiny.
(Photo of Alysa Liu celebrating her gold-medal win Friday at the world championships: Geoff Robins / AFP via Getty Images)
