> At a Glance
> – Alysa Liu, 20, seized gold at the 2025 World Championships after stepping away from skating at 16
> – Retired in April 2022 feeling like a “dress-up doll” with no control over costumes, music, or schedule
> – Returned in March 2024 craving the adrenaline rush-and now eyes the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics
> – Why it matters: Her story shows how reclaiming autonomy can fuel an athlete’s second act
After walking away from figure skating at 16, Alysa Liu collected seashells in Mexico, got her driver’s license, and finally attended friends’ birthday parties. Two years later, a Lake Tahoe ski trip reminded her how much she missed the rush of competition-and she’s been unstoppable since.
A Controlled Childhood Ends
From age 5, Liu trained without a break, was homeschooled, and lived alone near the Olympic Training Center in Colorado.
- Medaled at 2022 Worlds (bronze) and competed in Beijing but never chose her own programs or costumes
- Felt obligated to reach the Olympics “for my younger self,” not for herself
- Took her first-ever week off post-retirement, then vacationed with family in Mexico
The Reboot: Full Autonomy
Since her comeback, Liu-now coached again by Phillip DiGuglielmo-calls every creative shot.
- 15 music edits for her U.S. championships program before she approved the final cut
- Dress sent back multiple times until the design matched her vision
- DiGuglielmo jokes it’s “Alysa 2.0“-she speaks up in every session
Results Under Lights
Liu’s fearless streak is paying off on the biggest stages.
| Event | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 World Championships, Boston | Gold | March 2025 |
| 2025 ISU World Team Trophy | Gold (team) | April 2025 |
| 2025-26 Grand Prix Final, Nagoya | Gold | December 2025 |
> “There’s still some brain cells telling ultra-elite athletes, ‘This is it,'” DiGuglielmo said. “With Alysa, that doesn’t exist-she just doesn’t get nervous.”
Key Takeaways
- Break restored her sense of self, letting her celebrate holidays and ferry siblings to school
- Ownership of training choices transformed pressure into motivation
- Gold at Worlds stamped her comeback as competitive, not ceremonial
- U.S. Championships this week decide the 2026 Olympic squad she’s favored to join
Liu’s second chapter isn’t about redemption-it’s about rewriting the rules on her own terms. “Oh, it’s fully for myself this time,” she said. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”
