Alysa Liu’s comeback crowned with world title ahead of Winter Olympics

Figure skating star Alysa Liu says her best is yet to come after world championship triumph.

Alysa Liu of the United States, winner of the Women's Singles gold medal, performs during the Exhibition of Champions at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 30, 2025. Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Figure skating star Alysa Liu feared her return might end in embarrassment, but the Alysa Liu comeback has instead delivered a stunning world championship and reignited dreams of Olympic glory. The American skater, now 19, returned to competition last year after retiring in 2022 and has quickly reasserted herself as one of the sport’s brightest talents.

Liu’s path back to the spotlight has been both unexpected and emotional. After winning bronze at the 2022 World Championships and representing the United States at the Beijing Olympics, she stepped away from the sport, believing she had fulfilled all her goals. What followed was a brief yet complete retirement. But in October 2024, Liu made her way back to the rink — and she hasn't looked back since.

Three weeks ago, she was crowned women’s world champion at the World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, marking a triumphant moment in what has become one of the most remarkable turnarounds in modern skating.

‘I thought I’d humiliate myself’

Speaking in Tokyo this week ahead of the World Team Trophy, Liu opened up about the doubts that shadowed her initial decision to return.

“I didn’t think I was going to do well in competition,” she admitted. “I needed to get used to it again. I told myself, ‘I’ll humiliate myself this season, it’s fine. I’ll get used to the feeling of competition again and then next season I’ll come back strong’.”

Instead, the Alysa Liu comeback surprised even the most optimistic fans. Her world title in Boston was not just a personal triumph but a message to the figure skating world — she’s not only back, she’s better than ever.

Her routines were praised for their elegance, control, and the maturity she’s developed in her time away from competitive skating. Judges and fans alike noted her increased confidence on the ice, something Liu acknowledges but says she’s still building on.

“I think pretty highly of myself so it’s not like I’m insecure,” she said. “I just feel that I can improve so much more. I think I haven’t created my best work yet.”

A star preparing for Milan-Cortina 2026

With the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics just ten months away, Liu’s focus remains fixed on growth, not titles. Despite being the reigning world champion, she downplays the pressure of Olympic selection.

“If I don’t even get sent to the Olympics, that will be fine too,” she said with a laugh. “I’ll probably go there anyway and watch. None of the titles matter as long as I have two good programmes that I’m proud of, that I want people to watch.”

This modesty is typical of Liu, but few doubt her chances of making the U.S. Olympic team. Her current form makes her not only a likely contender for selection but also a serious medal threat. She has already captured the imagination of fans with her comeback and her ability to blend technical difficulty with graceful artistry.

Leading a powerhouse U.S. team in Tokyo

Liu is part of a formidable American lineup at the World Team Trophy in Tokyo. She is joined by two-time men’s world champion Ilia Malinin and ice dance champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates, forming a core group that many expect to dominate the competition.

While individual brilliance often shines in figure skating, the World Team Trophy emphasizes national strength. With Liu’s resurgence, the U.S. has re-established itself as a deep and dangerous presence in women’s skating — an area where Japan and Russia have long set the benchmark.

Japan, Georgia, France, Canada, and Italy round out the six-nation event, but all eyes will be on the Americans — and particularly Liu, who now carries the weight of world champion expectations on her shoulders.

A career reborn

Liu’s return is not just about medals. It’s about rediscovery — of joy, of competition, and of her love for skating. Her first retirement at age 16 was not driven by injury or scandal, but rather a personal decision to step away after reaching what she thought were her limits. What she’s shown since returning is that those limits were only temporary.

“The Alysa Liu comeback means a lot to me personally,” she said in Tokyo. “I’m learning more about myself now than I did before. I feel stronger mentally and emotionally. I used to think skating was something I had to do to prove something. Now, I just skate because I love it.”

This passion has been evident in her performances, which reflect a freer and more confident Liu. Gone is the teenager who once felt the pressure of prodigy expectations. In her place stands a young woman skating with purpose — and joy.

What’s next for Liu?

After the World Team Trophy, Liu will return to her training base to begin preparing for next season. The Olympic year brings new challenges, including the grueling U.S. Nationals and the intense competition for limited Olympic spots. But Liu’s coach has indicated that the team is taking a long-term approach, prioritizing health and sustainable improvement.

“We’re going to pace the season smartly,” he told reporters. “Alysa is a natural competitor, but we want her peaking at the right time — not in October, but in February.”

There’s also talk of Liu working on new technical elements, potentially including a return to the triple axel that once made her a junior phenom. Whether or not she adds such difficulty, Liu says her main focus will be on creating programs that connect with audiences.

“I want to leave something behind that people remember,” she said. “It’s not just about jumping or scores. It’s about feeling something when you watch.”

The next chapter

The Alysa Liu comeback is still unfolding, and if her recent performances are any indication, this chapter could be the most thrilling yet. From a teenage sensation to a retired Olympian to a world champion once again, Liu has defied expectations at every turn.

As the figure skating world watches her journey toward Milan-Cortina, one thing is clear — she’s no longer skating to prove herself. She’s skating because it’s who she is.

And that, more than any medal, might be the secret to her resurgence.