Alysa Liu: From Retirement to Olympic Gold

Alysa Liu, the 20-year-vintage American figure skater, has captivated the world with her remarkable journey to Olympic gold. After a surprising retirement in 2022, Liu returned to the ice and secured the gold medal in women’s singles at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and an unconventional path to success.

Early Career and Historic Achievements

Born on August 8, 2005, in Clovis, California, and hailing from Oakland, California, Alysa Liu began skating at the young age of five. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest U.S. Women’s national champion in history at just 13 years old in 2019. She continued to break barriers, becoming the youngest skater to win two senior national titles at age 14 and the first U.S. Female figure skater to land a quadruple jump in international competition in 2019.

Unexpected Retirement and Triumphant Return

At the peak of her career, Liu announced her retirement from figure skating in April 2022, following a sixth-place finish at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and a bronze medal at the World Championships that year. Though, she made a stunning return to the sport two years later, determined to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

2026 Olympic Success

At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Liu demonstrated her renewed commitment and skill. She first contributed to Team USA’s gold medal win in the team event, alongside Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, and ice dance duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates, as well as Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea. She then went on to win the gold medal in the women’s singles competition, solidifying her place as a dominant force in the sport.

Current Pursuits

While achieving Olympic glory, Liu is also currently attending the University of California, Los Angeles.

Key Takeaways

• Alysa Liu is the 2026 Olympic women’s singles champion.
• She is the youngest U.S. Women’s national champion ever, winning her first title at age 13.
• Liu briefly retired from figure skating in 2022 before making a successful comeback.
• She also won a gold medal in the team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.