After retiring at 16, Alysa Liu is back two years later and thriving. She recently represented the United States at the Milano 2026 Winter Olympics by competing in the team figure skating event and the individual women’s figure skating event, earning a gold medal in both categories. 

Alysa Liu was born in 2005 in Clovis, California. Starting to skate at only five years old, her father witnessed her potential and he became a huge supporter of her career, stating he has spent over half a million dollars on it. 

“It has been so much fun watching the Olympics, and it is so exciting that someone raised in the Bay Area has won,” sophomore Julia Ahlstrand said. “Her story is so intriguing, knowing she wanted to retire at such a young age, but decided to come back.”

Alysa Liu became popular at a very young age and was known for her triple axel and other impressive jumps. She became the youngest U.S. women’s national champion in 2019 and again in 2020. Later, she went on to win bronze at the 2022 World Championships and represented the U.S. in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. 

Then, in April of 2022, she took the skating world by surprise by declaring that she was retiring. She stated that she was finished with competitive figure skating and wanted to live a normal life. Later, despite her two year retirement, she returned in early 2024 to pursue her passion for skating again.

Alysa Liu, in her youth, was known for her powerful jumps and her intense performances. Eventually, she developed her style to be more mature and artistic. A marker of her post-retirement performance includes her beaming smile on the ice and the passion she imbues in her skating. 

“I really enjoy watching figure skating, and I think Alysa Liu makes it look so effortless,” sophomore Laela Koenigsberg said. “It is also refreshing seeing someone this young win and be able to get back into her sport this easily.”

Alysa Liu won the women’s singles figure skating gold medal, finishing with a score of 226.79 points. She became a double Olympic gold medalist in 2026 because she helped the U.S. win gold in the figure skating team event.

“I don’t keep up much with figure skating, but I have heard about Alysa Liu,” chemistry teacher Dina Srouji said. “I have only heard great things.” 

Alysa Liu has been the first representing the U.S. to win gold for the women’s singles figure skating in 24 years, since Sarah Hughes in 2002. This is also a big deal since she has lived in Richmond, California, most of her life, skating at the Oakland Ice Center and in San Francisco, near Convent and Stuart Hall.

Alysa’s comeback proves that when passion outweighs expectations and forced duty, one is capable of reaching new heights and achieving the greatest gift of all: the love for a sport. Her tenacity inspires a new generation of athletes. 

“Alysa Liu winning gold was kind of a surprise, knowing that she just started skating again in 2024 compared to everyone else,” Ahlstrand said. “ I think that it was well deserved!”