In a fantastic return to the sport, the American figure skating deterred Alysa Liu Liu Liu Liu-Three-Gang Defense Master Kaori Sakamoto from Japan at the World Cup for skating on Friday night at Boston’s TD Garden.
Liu became the first American woman to claim a title since Kimmie Meissner in 2006.
Liu’s victory marked a meteoric comeback after withdrawing from the sport in 2022.
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ALYSA LIU from the United States responds after performing its routine in Women’s Free program at ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2025 in TD Garden 28 March 2025 in Boston. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
“I mean, it means so much to me and everything I’ve been through,” Liu said after the victory. “My last skating, my time away and this time – I’m so happy, I assume. I’m mostly glad I could put two of my best performances.”
Liu was once considered a rising star as the youngest American champion ever when she prevailed at the age of 13 in 2019 and then defended her title next year. She fulfilled a childhood dream by qualifying for the Olympics, where she ended sixth at 2022 Beijing Games and served a bronze medal at the World Cup that year.
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ALYSA LIU from the US competes in women’s free skating during 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at TD Garden 28 March 2025 in Boston. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Then she stepped away. Liu decided that skating had become less of a joy and more of a job, and she would focus on being a normal college student. It was only before she went on a skiing trip and felt the rush of competition – altered in a very different way and with much lower efforts – that she began to think of a comeback.
Early last year, she officially did it with a cryptic post on social media. And while the path back in a notorious creepy sport was uneven, Liu took a big step forward with his second place finish to Glenn on the US Championships.
She took the last step to the podium on Friday night.
Gold Medalist ALYSA LIU from the US is a photo after winning the women’s World Cup during 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at TD Garden 28 March 2025 in Boston. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“I didn’t expect this. I didn’t have the expectations of coming in,” Liu said. “I never have expectations for competitions anymore. It’s Moreso, ‘What can I put out performance?’ I really met my expectations from my side.
Liu is now able to make the Olympic team in 2026 Milano Cortina to USA
