At just 20 years old, Alysa Liu has already lived several lifetimes in figure skating. She became the youngest U.S. champion at 13, landed the first quadruple jump by an American woman, retired at 16, and then staged one of the sport’s most remarkable comebacks to claim Olympic gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.
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Liu’s 2026 Olympic performance wasn’t just about medals. It was about reclaiming joy in a sport that had once consumed her. Skating to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park Suite” in her free skate, she delivered a near-flawless performance that earned her a career-best 226.79 points and ended a 24-year gold medal drought for American women in singles figure skating.
But behind the sequined dress and platinum-blonde-striped hair lies a story of resilience, family sacrifice, and the courage to walk away and return on her own terms.
Who Is Alysa Liu? Quick Bio and Career Snapshot
Alysa Liu is an American figure skater, 2026 Olympic champion, and 2025 World champion who broke records as the youngest U.S. national champion in history at age 13. Born on August 8, 2005, in Clovis, California, she is the oldest of five siblings raised by her father, Arthur Liu, a Chinese immigrant and political refugee who fled China after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Alysa Liu |
| Date of Birth | August 8, 2005 |
| Age | 20 years old |
| Birthplace | Clovis, California, U.S. |
| Current Residence | Richmond/Oakland, California |
| Height | 5 ft 2 in (1.58 m) |
| College | UCLA (Psychology major) |
| Parents | Arthur Liu (father); mother identity not public |
| Ethnicity | Chinese-American |
| Coaches | Phillip DiGuglielmo, Massimo Scali |
| @alysaxliu |
Major Career Achievements
- 2019: Youngest U.S. women’s national champion (age 13)
- 2019: First American woman to land quadruple Lutz in competition
- 2020: U.S. national champion (back-to-back titles at age 14)
- 2022: Olympic Winter Games Beijing (6th place, women’s singles)
- 2022: World Championships bronze medalist
- 2025: World Champion (Boston)
- 2025-26: Grand Prix Final champion
- 2026: Olympic gold medalist (women’s singles, Milano Cortina)
- 2026: Olympic gold medalist (team event)
How Did Alysa Liu Become the Youngest U.S. Figure Skating Champion?
Alysa Liu became the youngest U.S. figure skating champion at 13 years and 5 months on January 26, 2019, breaking Tara Lipinski’s previous record by two months. She achieved this by landing a historic triple axel in her short program and demonstrating technical prowess that included both quadruple jumps and triple axels, skills rarely seen in women’s skating at the time.
Liu’s early career was defined by record-breaking feats:
Technical Milestones:
- Age 12 (2018): Landed a ratified triple axel at the Asian Open Trophy, becoming the youngest skater in history to perform a clean triple axel in competition
- Age 13 (August 2019): Became the first American woman to land a quadruple Lutz in competition at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Lake Placid
- September 2019: First woman in the world to complete both a quadruple jump and triple axel in the same program at a competition
- Age 14 (2020): Won her second consecutive U.S. title, becoming the youngest two-time champion
Her father, Arthur Liu, invested an estimated $500,000 to $1 million in her training, sacrificing financial stability to support her dreams. Arthur was a patent attorney who became a stay-at-home dad to manage Alysa’s career, homeschooling her through middle and high school to accommodate her rigorous training schedule.
| Age | Achievement |
| 5 | Started skating at Oakland Ice Center |
| 12 | Youngest to land triple axel in competition |
| 13 | Youngest U.S. national champion |
| 14 | Youngest two-time U.S. champion |
| 16 | Competed at 2022 Beijing Olympics |
| 19 | Announced comeback |
| 20 | Won 2026 Olympic gold |
What Happened at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and World Championships?
At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Alysa Liu placed sixth in women’s singles skating, the highest finish among American women. Weeks later, she won bronze at the 2022 World Championships in Montpellier, France, becoming the first U.S. woman to medal at Worlds in six years. However, both competitions occurred under extraordinary circumstances that few knew about at the time.
Beijing Olympics Performance:
- Short Program: 8th place
- Free Skate: 7th place
- Overall: 6th place
- Context: Competed under U.S. State Department protection with constant security escorts
In the months leading up to Beijing, the FBI warned Arthur Liu that he and his daughter had been targeted by Chinese government operatives. The U.S. Department of Justice later charged five men with acting on behalf of China to surveil and intimidate Chinese dissidents.
One operative posed as a U.S. Olympic Committee official trying to obtain the family’s passports. Arthur didn’t tell Alysa about the surveillance until after the Games to avoid distracting her from competition.
World Championships (March 2022):
- Score: 211.19 points total
- Medal: Bronze
- Significance: First U.S. woman to medal at Worlds since Ashley Wagner in 2016
Despite these achievements, Liu was already planning her exit. She had decided nearly a year before Beijing that she would retire soon after the Olympics, regardless of her results.
Why Did Alysa Liu Retire From Figure Skating at 16?
Alysa Liu retired from competitive figure skating on April 9, 2022, at age 16 because she had achieved her Olympic goal and felt burned out from years of intense training that consumed her life since age 5. She wanted to experience normal teenage activities, attend in-person school for the first time, and reclaim her identity beyond being a figure skater.
In her retirement Instagram post, Liu wrote: “I feel so satisfied with how my skating career has gone. Now that I’m finally done with my goals in skating I’m going to be moving on with my life.”
Reasons for Retirement:
- Burnout: Skating had consumed her entire life from age 5-16 with no significant breaks
- Loss of autonomy: She didn’t choose her own programs, costumes, or music—feeling like a “dress-up doll”
- Social isolation: Homeschooled through middle and high school, living away from family and friends for years
- Mission accomplished: Achieved Olympic appearance and World medal
- Missing normal life: Never attended public school, rarely saw movies, never took a family vacation
“I was so into skating that I really didn’t do much else,” Liu later told NBC Sports. “Skating takes up your whole life, almost. I don’t know if other people feel the same when they look back at certain parts of their life, but for me, it’s definitely a blur, because it kind of meshes together, going to the rink, going home, competing.”
After retiring, Liu took her skates home and left them to rust in a closet for 18 months. She enrolled at UCLA in fall 2023 to study psychology, made friends, and began experiencing life as a typical college student.
How Did Alysa Liu’s 2024 Comeback Happen?
Alysa Liu announced her comeback to competitive figure skating on March 1, 2024, via Instagram after a skiing trip in January 2024 reignited her competitive spirit.
The 19-year-old realized she could return to the sport on her own terms, choosing her own music, costumes, and programs and that she genuinely missed the athletic challenge and creative expression skating offered.
The Turning Point:
During a Christmas 2023 ski trip to Lake Tahoe with friends, Liu experienced an adrenaline rush while skiing that reminded her of the feeling she got from skating. She mentioned to her friend’s mother (Eve Rodler): “I really miss being an athlete. I think I want to try to go back to skating.”
Comeback Timeline:
- January 2024: Ski trip sparks interest in returning
- January 2024: Attended a 6 a.m. skating session at Yerba Buena rink in San Francisco
- February-March 2024: Did several more public sessions near UCLA, attempting more difficult jumps
- March 1, 2024: Official comeback announcement on Instagram
- Spring 2024: Reconnected with former coaches Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali
- September 2024: First minor competition at Oakland club (landed three clean triple jumps)
- October 2024: Budapest Trophy (first major international competition back)
“I choose to be here,” Liu told Olympics.com. “I love that I was able to come back and choose my own destiny.”
This time around, Liu made it clear: she was the boss. She hired her coaches. She selected her music. She designed her costumes. She dyed her hair. And she balanced her skating with being a full-time UCLA psychology student, training at Lakewood Ice (a 30-mile drive through Los Angeles traffic) while attending three classes per quarter.
What Are Alysa Liu’s 2025 World Championship and Grand Prix Achievements?
At the 2025 World Championships in Boston, Alysa Liu won gold with a total score of 226.67 points, becoming the first American woman to win the world title since Kimmie Meissner in 2006, a 19-year drought. She followed this with victory at the 2025-26 Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan, cementing her status as the favorite heading into the 2026 Olympics.
2025 World Championship Victory (Boston)
| Segment | Score | Placement |
| Short Program | 75.70 | 2nd |
| Free Skate | 150.97 | 1st |
| Total | 226.67 | 1st |
Liu’s free skate to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park Suite” was so joyful and electrifying that much of the crowd was on their feet dancing by the time she finished. Her first words coming off the ice: “What the actual hell?”
2025-26 Grand Prix Season
Skate America (Lake Placid, October 2025):
- Result: 1st place
- First Grand Prix gold of comeback season
Cup of China (Chongqing, November 2025):
- Result: 2nd place
- Qualified for Grand Prix Final
Grand Prix Final (Nagoya, December 2025):
- Short Program: 75.79 (personal best at time)
- Free Skate: 149.71
- Total: 225.50
- Result: 1st place
U.S. Championships Results (2025-2026):
- 2025 U.S. Championships (Wichita, KS): Silver medal
- 2026 U.S. Championships (St. Louis, MO): Silver medal (behind Amber Glenn both times)
Despite taking silver at U.S. Nationals both years, Liu’s international results and world title secured her Olympic team spot.
What Are Alysa Liu’s 2026 Olympic Programs “Promise” and “MacArthur Park Suite”?
Alysa Liu’s 2026 Olympic programs featured “Promise” by Laufey for her short program and “MacArthur Park Suite” by Donna Summer for her free skate. These programs reflected her creative autonomy and alternative aesthetic, with Liu personally selecting the music and collaborating closely with choreographer Massimo Scali on every artistic element.
Short Program: “Promise” by Laufey
Music Details:
- Song: “Promise” by Laufey (featuring Dan Wilson)
- Genre: Jazz-influenced pop ballad
- Choreographer: Massimo Scali
- Dress: Custom-designed with Liu’s input
The melancholy, romantic song begins with the lyrics “I made a promise / to distance myself”, an ironic reflection of Liu’s journey away from and back to skating. Grammy-winning singer Laufey herself became a Liu fan, posting a TikTok after the Olympic team event that garnered nearly 3 million views with the caption: “thats OUR olympian alysa liu.”
Program Change Drama:
Liu originally developed a new short program to “This Is How It Feels” by Laufey and d4vd for the 2025-26 season. However, in September 2025, the body of a missing teenage girl was found in a vehicle registered to dvd, and his home was searched by police. Liu immediately scrapped the program and reverted to “Promise”, the program that had carried her to the World Championship.
Free Skate: “MacArthur Park Suite” by Donna Summer
Music Details:
- Song: Donna Summer’s disco version of “MacArthur Park”
- Genre: Disco/pop (transforms from melancholy to upbeat)
- Choreographer: Massimo Scali
- Dress: Gold-sequined with matching gold hair stripes
According to a Washington Post feature, this program went through its own chaotic development. Liu didn’t have a completed free skate until just weeks before the 2024-25 season started, having spent months arguing with her coach and choreographer about Lady Gaga songs that didn’t work.
The final program came together at the last minute, went through six custom dresses (four worn once, one never), and somehow resulted in one of the most acclaimed free skates in recent memory.
2026 Olympics Performance (February 19, 2026):
- Short Program Score: 76.59 (career best at time)
- Free Skate Score: 150.20
- Total Score: 226.79 (career best)
- Result: Olympic gold medal
The only error in her free skate was on her flying camel spin mid-program, which was dinged for moving too much across the ice. Otherwise, her performance was near-perfect.
What’s the Story Behind Alysa Liu’s Hair and “Smiley” Piercing?
Alysa Liu’s distinctive style includes platinum blonde horizontal stripes in her dark brown hair and a frenulum piercing (commonly called a “smiley” piercing) that she pierced herself over two years ago. These aesthetic choices reflect her alternative persona and desire to express her identity authentically, both on and off the ice.
The Hair Stripes: Growth Rings
Liu’s hair features horizontal platinum blonde “halos” against her dark brunette base. She explained the concept to Milwaukee’s TMJ4 News:
“You know how trees have rings for their age? I thought every year I’m gonna add a new halo around my hair. It’s been two years so I have two [and] pretty soon I’ll have a new stripe.”
For the 2026 Olympics, St. Louis-based hairstylist Kelsey Miller helped bleach Liu’s hair to achieve the right shade of blonde, transforming her original subtle ginger stripes to more of a “milk tea color.” The process took five hours total.
“Your hair is truly your identity,” Miller told Allure magazine. “It can help you with your confidence.”
While some have speculated the stripes pay homage to the Olympic rings, Liu insists they’re purely personal, a visual representation of her growth and evolution as both a skater and person.
What Is on Alysa Liu’s Front Teeth?
Alysa Liu has a frenulum piercing, commonly called a “smiley” piercing, which sits in the tissue connecting her upper lip to her gums. She pierced it herself over two years ago with her sister’s help, and it has become a signature part of her appearance. The piercing appears as a small metal ring or barbell that’s visible when she smiles, leading many viewers to mistakenly think she has gems on her teeth.
Liu’s Piercing Story:
“I had my sister hold up my lip, and I was looking in the mirror, and I had my piercing needle and then yeah, I just put it through,” Liu told TMJ4 News in January 2026.
Important Context:
Frenulum piercings carry dental health risks. According to dental professionals, these piercings can damage gums and teeth over time due to constant contact with jewelry. They’re also prone to rejection and migration. Liu’s choice to do it herself (DIY piercing) is not medically recommended and carries additional risks of infection and improper placement.
Liu’s blond-and-brunette striped hair, “smiley” piercing, and nonconformist aura have made her a hero of the alternative, punk, and emo communities, rare territory for an Olympic figure skater.
Who Are Alysa Liu’s Parents and What Is Her Family Background?
Alysa Liu’s father is Arthur Liu, a Chinese immigrant, political refugee, and patent attorney who became a stay-at-home dad to support her skating career. Her mother’s identity has not been made public, though Liu and her four siblings were born via surrogacy with an anonymous egg donor. Arthur raised all five children largely on his own after divorcing his ex-wife, who had legal guardianship of the children for a period.
Arthur Liu: Father and Political Refugee
Background:
- Born in China
- Participated in the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests
- Fled China in the 1990s as a political refugee
- Became a patent attorney in the Bay Area
- Currently lives in Richmond, California
Parenting Approach:
Arthur was a Michelle Kwan fan who brought 5-year-old Alysa to the Oakland Ice Center in 2010 for group lessons. When coach Laura Lipetsky identified Alysa’s talent, Arthur committed fully, eventually investing between $500,000 and $1 million in her training over 11 years.
He became a stay-at-home father, homeschooling Alysa through middle and high school to accommodate her training schedule. He managed her career, coordinated coaching changes, and made significant financial sacrifices.
FBI Surveillance Warning:
In late 2021/early 2022, the FBI contacted Arthur to warn him that he and Alysa had been targeted by Chinese government spies. The U.S. Department of Justice later charged five men with acting on behalf of China to surveil and intimidate Chinese dissidents in America.
One operative posed as a U.S. Olympic Committee official and tried to obtain copies of the family’s passports. Arthur kept this information from Alysa until after the Beijing Olympics to protect her mental focus.
Liu’s Siblings
Alysa is the oldest of five siblings:
- Selina (helped with the DIY piercing)
- Julia
- Jaylin (also listed as Joshua in some sources)
- Justin
The family dynamic changed during Alysa’s comeback. For the first time, she made it clear that she, not her father, was in charge of her career decisions.
“Alysa is our boss,” coach Phillip DiGuglielmo told NBC Sports. “She is an adult, and she came to us and hired us. She is in charge.”
Is Alysa Liu Chinese?
No. Alysa Liu is American, born in California and raised in Richmond/Oakland. Her father, Arthur Liu, is of Chinese descent and immigrated to the United States from China in the 1990s. This makes Alysa ethnically Chinese-American, but her nationality and identity are American. She speaks some Mandarin due to her father’s background.
Where Does Alysa Liu Go to College and What Is She Studying?
Alysa Liu attends UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) where she is majoring in psychology. She enrolled in fall 2023 after taking a gap year following her retirement and graduation from high school in June 2021. Liu balances being a full-time student with her figure skating career, taking three classes per quarter while training at Lakewood Ice, approximately 30 miles from campus.
College Experience:
During her gap year and first year at UCLA (2022-2023), Liu lived the college life she had always craved:
- Made friends for the first time
- Attended public school/classes for the first time
- Went to movies
- Took her first vacation
- Trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal (May 2023)
“I was lacking experience in other things in the world,” Liu told Team USA. “All I knew was skating, and I just wanted to live my life.”
Balancing School and Skating:
When Liu announced her comeback in March 2024 during her sophomore year, it created a challenging schedule:
- Trains at Lakewood Ice (30-mile drive through LA traffic)
- Takes 3 classes per quarter
- Coaches Phillip DiGuglielmo or Massimo Scali travel from the Bay Area as often as possible
- Local coaches Amy Evidente and Ivan Dinev handle day-to-day training
- Returns to Bay Area for extended training periods
“There is so much more I look forward to now,” Liu told NBC Sports. “Before, when I had only skating, it was too repetitive. I’m enjoying training again. Obviously, it’s a struggle, but I’m enjoying the struggle right now. After training, I’m ready to see friends and go to school and study.”
Liu has indicated she hopes to complete at least one more year at UCLA before potentially pausing studies if training for the 2026 Olympics requires it. However, she plans to finish her degree eventually.
What Is Alysa Liu’s Net Worth in 2026?
Alysa Liu’s estimated net worth in 2026 is approximately $500,000 to $1 million, accumulated through competition prize money, endorsement deals, sponsorships, and post-Olympic opportunities.
However, exact figures are not publicly verified, and net worth estimates for Olympic athletes, especially in lower-profile sports like figure skating, are often speculative and should be treated as approximations.
Income Sources:
| Category | Estimated Value |
| Olympic Prize Money | $37,500 (U.S. Olympic Committee pays $37,500 for gold medal) |
| World Championships Prize Money | ~$45,000 (ISU pays prize money to medalists) |
| Grand Prix Earnings | $18,000 per Grand Prix win; $65,000 for Grand Prix Final win |
| Endorsements/Sponsorships | Unknown (likely modest compared to mainstream sports) |
| U.S. Figure Skating Stipends | Varies based on international ranking |
Important Context:
Figure skating is not a high-earning sport compared to mainstream professional athletics. Most elite figure skaters work day jobs or rely on family support. Liu’s father, Arthur, reportedly invested $500,000 to $1 million in her training from ages 5-16, meaning much of the family’s finances went toward her career, not from it.
Post-2026 Olympics, Liu’s earning potential may increase through:
- Ice show appearances (Stars on Ice, etc.)
- Coaching/choreography work
- Endorsement deals (athletic apparel, skating equipment)
- Speaking engagements
- Social media partnerships
Disclaimer: Net worth figures for athletes are estimates and should not be considered verified facts. Actual net worth depends on many factors including investments, debts, family support, and undisclosed income.
What Is Alysa Liu’s Competition Schedule for 2026?
Alysa Liu’s 2026 competition schedule centered on the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, which took place February 6-23, 2026. Following her Olympic gold medal victories, she has not publicly announced her full 2026-27 season schedule, though she is expected to make a decision about continuing to compete or retiring after the Olympics.
2026 Olympic Schedule
| Event | Date | Result |
| Team Event – Women’s Short Program | February 6, 2026 | 2nd place (74.90 points) |
| Team Event – Final Results | February 8, 2026 | Gold medal (Team USA) |
| Women’s Short Program | February 17, 2026 | 3rd place (76.59 points) |
| Women’s Free Skate | February 19, 2026 | Gold medal (226.79 total) |
Team Event Details:
Liu competed in the women’s short program portion of the team event on February 6, placing second behind Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto with a score of 74.90. She was substituted out for Amber Glenn in the women’s free skate portion. Combined with strong performances from teammates Madison Chock, Evan Bates, and Ilia Malinin, Team USA won gold.
Women’s Singles Event Details:
- Short Program (Feb 17): Liu placed 3rd after the short program with a season-best 76.59, trailing Ami Nakai (1st) and Kaori Sakamoto (2nd)
- Free Skate (Feb 19): Liu delivered a near-perfect free skate (150.20) to win the free skate segment and climb from 3rd to 1st overall
Final Medal Standings:
- Alysa Liu (USA) – 226.79 (Gold)
- Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) – 224.90 (Silver)
- Ami Nakai (JPN) – 219.16 (Bronze)
Post-Olympic Plans
Liu has not confirmed whether the 2026 Olympics will be her final competition. Given her previous retirement and return, she may choose to:
- Retire again to focus on completing her UCLA degree
- Continue competing through the 2027 World Championships
- Transition to professional ice shows and exhibitions
- Take another break before deciding
As of February 2026, Liu’s Instagram bio simply reads: “skater :)” with no indication of future plans.
2026 Olympic Performance: How Did Alysa Liu Win Gold?
Alysa Liu won the 2026 Olympic gold medal in women’s figure skating by delivering a near-flawless free skate on February 19, 2026, scoring 150.20 points in the free skate and 226.79 points total. Despite sitting in third place after the short program, she overtook Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai after both made mistakes in their free skates while Liu remained nearly perfect.
Short Program (February 17, 2026)
Program: “Promise” by Laufey
Score: 76.59 (season best at time)
Placement: 3rd
Liu skated a clean short program but found herself 2.12 points behind leader Ami Nakai heading into the free skate. Kaori Sakamoto sat in second place.
Technical Elements:
- Triple flip-triple toe combination
- Triple axel
- Double axel
- All spins and footwork executed well
Liu’s only concern was the narrow margin, less than three points separated the top three skaters.
Free Skate (February 19, 2026)
Program: “MacArthur Park Suite” by Donna Summer
Score: 150.20 (free skate); 226.79 (total)
Placement: 1st (free skate), 1st (overall)
Liu skated in the final group of the competition. When her turn came, she delivered:
Technical Content:
- 7 triple jumps (no quad attempts)
- Two triple-triple combinations
- Triple axel
- Strong spins and step sequences
The only error: Her flying camel spin mid-program moved too much across the ice, resulting in a deduction.
As Donna Summer’s disco beat built to a crescendo, Liu smiled and played to the crowd—her infectious joy visible to everyone in Milano Ice Skating Arena. When she finished, the crowd erupted.
What Happened Next:
Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto, skating after Liu, each made mistakes on combination sequences. Nakai, at 17, appeared to feel the pressure. Sakamoto, a three-time world champion and the favorite heading in, also stumbled.
When Nakai’s score was read, confirming Liu had won, U.S. teammate Amber Glenn jumped up onto the kiss-and-cry stand and raised Liu’s hand in triumph. Liu sheepishly turned and applauded the 17-year-old Nakai, then raced over to hug her.
Historical Significance
| Category | Significance |
| First U.S. woman’s singles gold since | Sarah Hughes (2002) – 24 years |
| First U.S. woman’s individual medal since | Sasha Cohen bronze (2006) – 20 years |
| First American World-Olympic double since | Kimmie Meissner (2006 Worlds only; no Olympic gold) |
| Age at victory | 20 years, 6 months |
Liu’s two gold medals (team event + singles) at Milano Cortina 2026 brought Team USA’s figure skating medal count to its highest since the 1990s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Alysa Liu do a triple axel?
Yes. Alysa Liu successfully landed triple axels in competition multiple times throughout her career. At age 12, she became the youngest skater in history to land a clean triple axel in international competition at the 2018 Asian Open Trophy. She was the first U.S. woman to land three triple axels in a single competition and the first to land a triple axel in the short program at U.S. Nationals.
Did Alysa Liu land a quad at the 2026 Olympics?
No. Alysa Liu did not attempt a quadruple jump at the 2026 Olympics. While she is the first American woman to land a quad Lutz in competition (2019 Junior Grand Prix), she has not included quad jumps in her programs during her 2024-2026 comeback. Her Olympic programs focused on clean triple jumps, including triple axels, rather than high-risk quads.
How many times has Alysa Liu fallen in competition since her comeback?
According to NBC Olympics, Alysa Liu had 221 jumps over 150 jumping passes without a fall after she fell on her third jumping pass in her first event of her comeback in September 2024. This remarkable consistency contributed to her 2025 World Championship title and 2026 Olympic gold medal.
What language does Alysa Liu speak?
Alysa Liu speaks English as her primary language and also speaks some Mandarin Chinese due to her father’s background. Arthur Liu, who immigrated from China, raised his five children with exposure to Chinese language and culture, though Alysa grew up in California and is fully American.
Has Alysa Liu retired again after the 2026 Olympics?
As of February 2026, Alysa Liu has not publicly announced whether she will retire again or continue competing. She retired once before at age 16 in 2022, then returned in 2024. Given her emphasis on competing “on her own terms” and her full-time UCLA enrollment, she may choose to retire to focus on completing her psychology degree, though no official announcement has been made.
What is Alysa Liu’s highest competition score ever?
Alysa Liu’s highest international competition total score is 226.79, achieved when she won gold at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Her highest short program score is 76.59 (2026 Olympics) and her highest free skate score is 150.97 (2025 World Team Trophy). Her highest U.S. domestic score is 235.52 from the 2020 U.S. Championships.
Who was the youngest skater to win the U.S. Nationals before Alysa Liu?
Tara Lipinski held the record before Alysa Liu, winning the U.S. women’s title at 14 years and 10 months in 1997. Liu broke this record by winning at 13 years and 5 months in 2019, making her the youngest women’s champion by approximately 2 months. Liu went on to become the youngest two-time champion at age 14.
Did Alysa Liu compete against Russian skaters at the Olympics?
At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Alysa Liu competed against Russian skaters including Kamila Valieva, Anna Shcherbakova, and Alexandra Trusova. At the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, Russian skaters were banned from competing under their country’s flag due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, though some competed as Individual Neutral Athletes. Liu’s main competition came from Japanese skaters Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai.
Legacy: What Does Alysa Liu’s Story Mean for Figure Skating?
Alysa Liu’s 2026 Olympic gold medal represents more than athletic achievement. It symbolizes a generational shift in how athletes approach their careers, prioritize mental health, and define success on their own terms. By walking away at 16 and returning at 19 with renewed joy and purpose, Liu challenged the sport’s traditional narrative that early specialization and single-minded dedication are the only paths to Olympic glory.
At 20 years old, with two Olympic gold medals, a World Championship title, and a UCLA psychology degree in progress, Alysa Liu has already redefined what’s possible in figure skating. Whether she retires again or continues competing, her legacy is secure: she showed a generation of athletes that you don’t have to sacrifice yourself to succeed.
