From Retirement to Gold: The Remarkable Resurgence of Alysa Liu

At 20 years old, Alysa Liu has etched her name into history, clinching the women’s singles gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Her victory marks a monumental milestone for American figure skating, ending a 24-year drought for U.S. women in the event. Liu’s journey is defined by resilience; after shocking the sports world by retiring at age 16 in 2022, she stepped away to pursue a normal life as a student at UCLA. This hiatus proved vital, allowing her to rediscover her love for the sport on her own terms. Since returning to the ice in 2024, Liu has been unstoppable, securing the 2025 World Championship title and leading Team USA to a team event gold in Milano Cortina. By becoming the first American woman to win Olympic gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002, Liu has transformed her early career struggles and personal growth into a historic comeback that serves as a powerful testament to the value of persistence and self-discovery.