Skater Alysa Liu has made headlines once again, solidifying her place in history with a stunning comeback. The now 20-year-old prodigy, who previously became the youngest U.S. national champion at just 13 in 2019, announced her retirement from competitive skating at the age of 16 after the 2022 Olympics. After a two-year absence from the sport, Liu returned to the ice for the start of the 2024-25 season, quickly proving her remarkable talent by clinching a world championship, a title she secured just a year after her return.
In a thrilling event in Milan, Liu stunned spectators and competitors alike by capturing Olympic gold, marking a significant milestone as the first American woman to win a singles medal since 2006. Her victory on Thursday followed an impressive free skate performance that brought her score to 150.20, catapulting her into first place and leaving competitors in her wake. Before this remarkable achievement, she was ranked third after Tuesday’s free skate, trailing Japanese skaters Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto, the latter a three-time world champion.
While Liu shone brightly, Sakamoto and Nakai delivered commendable performances but fell short of overcoming Liu’s lead. Sakamoto finished with silver, visibly emotional as she left the ice just two points shy of gold, while Nakai secured bronze.
Liu’s journey has not been without its challenges. After an underwhelming short program that found her in 13th place, she regrouped and delivered the third-best free skate performance, ultimately finishing in fifth overall. Fellow American skater Isabeau Levito rounded out the American team’s efforts with a 12th place finish.
This triumph not only signals a triumphant return for Liu but also reignites the hopes for the future of American women’s figure skating. Her achievements stand as a testament to perseverance and talent, inspiring a new generation of skaters.