Alysa Liu Wins U.S. First Figure Skating Gold in 24 Years

Twenty-year-old Alysa Liu just did what seemed impossible on Thursday night in Milan, delivering a flawless performance to win Olympic gold and end a 24-year drought for American women in figure skating. Her victory is even sweeter because just two years ago, she had walked away from the sport completely.

Liu became the youngest U.S. national champion at age 13 in 2019, but after a disappointing sixth-place finish at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she announced her retirement on Instagram. She was burned out and ready to live life as a normal teenager.

For two years, she hung out with friends, took vacations, and enrolled at UCLA. Then a family ski trip reminded her of the thrill she felt on the ice, and she found herself at a public skating session, unable to stay away.

When Liu decided to make her comeback, she laid down one non-negotiable rule with her former coaches Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali. Every decision would be hers, from the music and costumes to when and how long she trained.

"I think my story is more important than anything to me," Liu said after her win. "And this journey has been incredible."

Skating to Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park Suite," Liu landed her triple flip and triple lutz-triple toe loop combination while the crowd clapped along to the disco beat. As she left the ice, she turned to the camera and shouted, "That's what I'm talking about!"

Her score of 150.20 shattered her previous season best, giving her a total of 226.79 and putting her in first place. But instead of nervously waiting backstage, Liu sat rink-side and cheered on her competitors, including Japan's Kaori Sakamoto (who won silver) and Ami Nakai (who took bronze).

Why This Inspires

Liu's coaches say they never actually set winning Olympic gold as a goal. DiGuglielmo and Scali even toasted with champagne before the free skate, celebrating that their skater was already living her dream by performing her art on the world's biggest stage.

"A third place, fourth place would've still been an incredible accomplishment," DiGuglielmo explained. "She has to win doesn't jibe with her values."

Liu had already won a gold medal in the team event last week alongside teammates Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito, who dubbed themselves the "Blade Angels." While her teammates stumbled in the individual competition, Liu's laid-back approach and creative control over her own skating journey carried her to the top of the podium.

Liu's comeback proves that sometimes stepping away is the best way forward, and that success tastes even sweeter when you define it on your own terms.