Alysa Liu Biography: Age, Figure Skating Career, Historic Comeback & 2026 Olympics

Alysa Liu is an American figure skater who has defied every convention in her sport—from becoming the youngest U.S. national champion at age 13, to retiring at 16, to making one of the most improbable comebacks in figure skating history. Born to a Chinese immigrant father who fled political persecution, Liu has transformed from a prodigy pushed to technical extremes into an artist skating on her own terms. Her journey from burnout to world champion, and now to Olympic medal contender at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, represents a story of self-discovery, autonomy, and the pursuit of joy over medals.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Alysa Liu was born on August 8, 2005, in Clovis, California, and raised in Richmond, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area . She is the oldest of five children born to Arthur Liu, a Chinese immigrant attorney who fled China in 1989 after organizing pro-democracy demonstrations . All five Liu children—Alysa, Selina, Julia, Justin, and Joshua—were born via surrogacy using anonymous egg donors and carried by two surrogates .

Arthur Liu has been a single father throughout Alysa’s life, investing between $500,000 and $1 million in her figure skating career during her youth . He described his daughter’s early training as “basically his business,” though Alysa later clarified she wanted more autonomy in her comeback .

Liu began skating at age 5 after attending a birthday party at an ice rink, initially drawn to the adrenaline rush . By age 10, she was competing in major competitions. She attended Oakland School for the Arts for one semester in middle school before switching to online schooling to accommodate her demanding training schedule—a decision she later expressed regret about .

Despite the unconventional education, Liu formed close friendships that have endured. Her best friend lives near the Oakland Ice Center, and she frequently visits friends at UC Berkeley, enjoying hikes at Lake Temescal, the Berkeley Marina, and Baker Beach .

After retiring from skating in 2022, Liu enrolled at UCLA to study psychology and pursue her interests in the arts . She is currently on deferred status to compete at the 2026 Olympics .

Career Journey

Early Dominance and Records (2018–2020)

Liu’s ascent in figure skating was meteoric. At age 12, she became the youngest skater in history (and third U.S. woman) to land a triple Axel in international competition at the 2018 Asian Open . In 2019, at age 13, she won the U.S. Championships, becoming the youngest national champion in American history .

Her technical achievements during this period were groundbreaking:

• First U.S. woman to land three triple Axels in a single competition
• First U.S. woman to land a quadruple jump (quad Lutz) in competition at the 2019 Junior Grand Prix USA
• First woman in the world to land a quad and triple Axel in the same program (2019 Junior Grand Prix USA)
• First woman to attempt a quad at the U.S. Championships (2020)
• Youngest skater to win back-to-back U.S. titles (2019–2020)

At 14, Liu became the youngest American woman to land a quadruple jump, a feat that vaulted her into the ranks of elite technical skaters globally . However, she grew three inches in a single year during this period, forcing her to constantly readapt her technique to her changing body .

Olympic Debut and Retirement (2022)

Liu represented the United States at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at age 16, finishing sixth in women’s singles—the highest placement among U.S. competitors . A month later, she won bronze at the 2022 World Championships, becoming the first U.S. woman to reach the world podium since 2016 .

Despite these achievements, Liu announced her retirement on April 9, 2022, via Instagram (in a since-deleted post): “Heyyyyy so I’m here to announce that I am retiring from skating… I honestly never thought I would accomplish as much as I did, I’m so happy. I feel so satisfied with how my skating career has gone” .

The decision stemmed from burnout and trauma. Her father revealed she was “suffering from PTSD” and “wouldn’t go near the ice rink” . Liu herself explained: “I was like, ‘Wow, this is what a break feels like… I really like not skating'” .

Hiatus and Self-Discovery (2022–2024)

During her two-year retirement, Liu embraced normal teenage life. She got her driver’s license, went to concerts, hung out with friends, and enrolled at UCLA . Most significantly, in May 2023, she trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp (17,000+ feet) with friends—an experience she called “almost spiritual” and “the most cherished memory of my life in self-imposed skating exile” .

“It was such a beautiful experience,” Liu said. “It felt like such girlhood, because we were with each other 24/7… We were really having a lot of deep conversations, trying to understand each other, trying to understand life in general. I think that experience honestly helped me a lot” .

She deleted her Instagram account during this period to insulate herself from skating news, truly embracing an “out of sight, out of mind” approach .

The Improbable Comeback (2024–Present)

Liu’s return to skating began not with competitive ambition, but with a ski trip to Lake Tahoe in January 2024 . The adrenaline and cold rush reminded her of skating, unlocking a desire to return—on her own terms.

She officially announced her comeback on March 1, 2024, with an Instagram video showing her progression in landing jumps, captioned: “This 2024-2025 season, back on the ice” . Her return came with non-negotiable conditions: she would pick her own music, help with choreography, control her training schedule, and have final say over her career .

Liu reconnected with former coaches Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali, though DiGuglielmo initially tried to dissuade her. “I tried every single thing I could tell her about why she shouldn’t do it,” he told NBC Sports. “She had a reason to counter every one of my points” .

Seven inches taller than when she first won nationals, Liu returned to competition at the 2024 CS Budapest Trophy in October 2024, winning despite underrotating some jumps . She finished second at the 2025 U.S. Championships, breaking the record for the highest U.S. national women’s short program score (81.11) .

World Champion (2025)

At the 2025 World Championships in Boston—just one year after announcing her return—Liu achieved what many thought impossible. Cartwheeling onto the ice with a “bouncy and youthful shaggy ponytail,” she skated two nearly flawless programs, winning both the short program and free skate to become the first American woman to win the world title since Kimmie Meissner in 2006 .

Her free skate was set to a lady gaga medley—edgy music that reflected her newfound artistic freedom . She also won the 2025 Grand Prix Final before finishing second at the 2026 U.S. Championships, securing her spot on the Olympic team .

2026 Milan Cortina Olympics

Team Event Gold Medal (February 2026)

Alysa Liu won her first Olympic medal as part of Team USA’s figure skating team event. She skated the short program for the team, helping the “Blade Angels” secure the gold medal .

Individual Event – Short Program (February 17, 2026)

In the women’s individual short program on February 17, 2026, Liu delivered a season-best performance, scoring 76.59 points to place third . Skating to Laufey’s “Promise,” she opened with an elegant triple flip and double axel, then “saved her best for the second half,” landing a triple lutz and triple loop combination that wowed the crowd .

Liu finished behind Japan’s Ami Nakai (78.71) and Kaori Sakamoto (77.23), putting her in strong medal contention heading into the free skate . She described the feeling of being back on Olympic ice as “indescribable” and skated with what observers called “palpable joy” .

The “Blade Angels” and Team Dynamics

Liu is part of a trio of American skaters nicknamed the “Blade Angels” (with amber glenn and Isabeau Levito), celebrated for their camaraderie and unique personalities . After her skate, Liu tried to watch teammate Isabeau Levito perform from rink-side but was shooed away by an usher due to competition rules. “I really wanted to watch Isabeau; I wanted to see it happening live,” Liu said, laughing about having to watch on a delayed TV backstage .

Liu emphasized the supportive atmosphere among the American team: “We support each other so much off and on the ice… It’s been so incredible to be here with them” .

ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS ALYSA. pic.twitter.com/FBmrpECyUK

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 17, 2026

Current Status and Free Skate

As of February 17, 2026, Liu sits in third place heading into the free skate on Thursday, February 19, 2026 . She has positioned herself as the primary American medal hope, with teammates Isabeau Levito in eighth place and Amber Glenn in 13th after the short program .

Liu has maintained a philosophy of skating for artistic fulfillment rather than medals, stating: “Medals do not validate me in any way… I give myself validation when I’m able to create and when I have, you know, a sheet of ice or a dance room to do what I love to do” .

Personal Life

Family Dynamics

Alysa Liu is extremely close to her four younger siblings: sisters Selina and Julia, and brothers Justin and Joshua (the latter two being twins) . She has described her home life as chaotic but fun: “There’s a lot of chaos, but it’s also really fun to have siblings” .

Her relationship with her father Arthur evolved significantly during her comeback. While he had managed every aspect of her early career, Liu insisted on autonomy for her return. When asked if he was hurt by her decision to exclude him, Arthur admitted: “A little bit. It’s like I brought you up to two U.S. national titles” . However, Liu emphasized: “He’s a great father… I just didn’t want him to be as invested in it as he was before” .

Artistic Expression

Since her return, Liu has embraced creative expression in ways she couldn’t during her first career. Her signature look includes bleached stripes in her hair—”I do this every year… I add a stripe, so it’s going to be like this for a year. Then next year wintertime, like end of December, I do another ring” .

She collaborates on costume design and chooses music that reflects her personality, including her viral Lady Gaga free skate program . “I learned that I really just want to make art and also look at other people’s art and appreciate art honestly,” she explained .

Mental Health and Philosophy

Liu has become an advocate for body positivity and self-acceptance, using her platform to promote positive messages about self-image . Her comeback philosophy centers on joy rather than winning: “I’m so intentional now… Everything I do has a reason for why I do it” .

She describes herself as loving “the struggle” of training: “I love struggling actually… It makes me feel alive” .

Controversies

Alysa Liu has maintained a relatively controversy-free career, though her unconventional family situation and rapid rise drew attention:

• Surrogate Births: All five Liu children were born via surrogacy using anonymous egg donors, a fact her father has openly discussed
• Intense Training Methods: Her early career was marked by extreme technical training that some critics argued was unsustainable for a young athlete
• Father’s Involvement: Arthur Liu’s intense management of her early career raised questions about parental pressure in youth sports
• Retirement Decision: Her abrupt 2022 retirement at age 16 surprised the skating world, though it was later understood as necessary for her mental health

Awards & Achievements

• Two-time U.S. National Champion (2019, 2020) – Youngest ever at age 13
• Two-time U.S. National Silver Medalist (2025, 2026)
• 2025 World Champion – First American woman since 2006
• 2022 World Championships Bronze Medalist – First U.S. woman on world podium since 2016
• 2025 Grand Prix Final Champion
• 2022 Beijing Olympics: 6th place (highest U.S. finisher)
• 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics: Team Event Gold Medalist; Individual Short Program 3rd place (as of February 17, 2026)
• Multiple Jump Records: First U.S. woman to land quad Lutz, first woman to land quad and triple Axel in same program

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“I honestly never thought I would accomplish as much as I did, I’m so happy. I feel so satisfied with how my skating career has gone.” — Retirement announcement, April 2022

“I was like, ‘Wow, this is what a break feels like… I really like not skating.'” — On discovering life outside skating

“I’m so intentional now. I’m so grounded. Everything I do has a reason for why I do it.” — On her comeback approach

“I love struggling actually. It makes me feel alive.” — On embracing the challenge of returning

“I learned that I really just want to make art and also look at other people’s art and appreciate art honestly.” — On finding her artistic voice

“Medals do not validate me in any way… I give myself validation when I’m able to create and when I have, you know, a sheet of ice or a dance room to do what I love to do.” — On her philosophy at the 2026 Olympics

“We support each other so much off and on the ice… It’s been so incredible to be here with them.” — On the “Blade Angels” team dynamic

“I really wanted to watch Isabeau; I wanted to see it happening live… I was like, ‘Please, please, please,’ and he was like, ‘No.'” — On being unable to watch her teammate skate from rink-side

Favorites

• Music: Lady Gaga (featured in her 2025 free skate), Laufey (“Promise” for 2026 Olympic short program), Donna Summer (“MacArthur Park Suite” for free skate)
• Hobbies: Photography, art, dance, music, hiking, tennis, volleyball, basketball
• Travel: Nepal (Mount Everest Base Camp trek), Lake Tahoe (skiing)
• Hangout Spots: Lake Temescal, Berkeley Marina, Baker Beach
• Pets: Black cat named Sesame
• School: UCLA, studying psychology and arts

Earnings & Net Worth

As an amateur athlete, Alysa Liu does not earn traditional salaries, but her achievements have brought financial support:

• Family Investment: Father Arthur Liu invested $500,000–$1 million in her early career
• USFSA Support: As a national team member, she receives funding and support from U.S. Figure Skating
• Sponsorships: Likely endorsement deals related to her Olympic and World Championship success
• Prize Money: ISU competition prize money from Grand Prix and Championship events
• Stars on Ice: Touring with professional ice shows provides income

Interesting Facts

• Liu is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, thanks to her family’s heritage
• She has a black cat named Sesame
• She deleted her Instagram account during her retirement to fully disconnect from skating
• Her comeback was inspired by a ski trip, not a desire to compete
• She is seven inches taller than when she first won U.S. nationals
• Her father was fired by her current coach Phillip DiGuglielmo during her first career iteration
• She cartwheels onto the ice during warmups
• She was named one of TIME Magazine’s NEXT 100 Most Influential People in November 2019
• She appeared on Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Sports Awards and was slimed on stage
• She is part of the “Blade Angels” trio with Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito

Did You Know?

• No American woman had won the World Championships since Kimmie Meissner in 2006 until Liu’s 2025 victory
• Liu is the first figure skater to successfully return from a two-year retirement and win a World title
• Previous comeback attempts by Gracie Gold, Rachael Flatt, Michelle Kwan, and Sasha Cohen all failed
• Dorothy Hamill, the 1976 Olympic champion, said she could “never take two weeks off” from skating, let alone two years
• Liu’s 2025 World Championship win came exactly one year after announcing her comeback
• She broke the U.S. national record for highest women’s short program score in January 2025
• She is the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal since Sarah Hughes in 2002 (team event, 2026)
• She skated a season-best 76.59 in the 2026 Olympic short program, placing third

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @alysaxliu
• US Figure Skating Profile: usfigureskating.org
• ISU Bio: isuresults.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Alysa Liu retire from figure skating?
Liu retired in April 2022 at age 16 due to burnout and trauma from intense training. Her father revealed she suffered from PTSD and avoided ice rinks. She wanted to experience normal teenage life, attend college, and explore interests outside skating .

How did Alysa Liu make her comeback?
After a ski trip to Lake Tahoe in January 2024 reminded her of skating’s joy, Liu announced her return in March 2024. She insisted on complete autonomy over her training, music, costumes, and schedule, working with coaches Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali on her own terms .

What records has Alysa Liu broken?
Liu became the youngest U.S. national champion at 13 (2019), first U.S. woman to land a quad Lutz, first woman to land quad and triple Axel in the same program, and first American woman to win World Championships since 2006 (2025). She is also the first skater to successfully return from a two-year retirement and win a World title .

Who are Alysa Liu’s parents?
Alysa was raised by her single father, Arthur Liu, a Chinese immigrant attorney who fled China in 1989 after organizing pro-democracy demonstrations. All five Liu children were born via surrogacy .

Where does Alysa Liu go to college?
Liu attends UCLA, where she studies psychology and pursues interests in the arts. She is currently on deferred status to compete at the 2026 Olympics .

What is Alysa Liu’s Olympic record?
Liu placed 6th at the 2022 Beijing Olympics (highest U.S. finisher), won team event gold at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, and placed 3rd in the individual short program at the 2026 Games as of February 17, 2026 .

What is the “Blade Angels”?
The “Blade Angels” is a nickname for the trio of American figure skaters Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, and Isabeau Levito, known for their camaraderie and unique personalities at the 2026 Olympics .

Conclusion

Alysa Liu’s story transcends figure skating. It is a narrative about the cost of prodigy, the necessity of autonomy, and the possibility of rediscovering joy in what once caused pain. From a 13-year-old champion pushed to technical extremes, to a burned-out teenager seeking normalcy, to a 20-year-old artist skating with intention and freedom, Liu has demonstrated that the most important victory is not found in medals but in reclaiming one’s identity.

Her historic comeback—accomplishing what legends like Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen could not—proves that stepping back can be the path forward. As she competes at the 2026 Olympics not for validation but for the love of the sport, Liu embodies a new model for athletic success: one defined not by sacrifice but by choice, not by pressure but by passion.

Whether she wins individual Olympic gold or not, Alysa Liu has already secured her legacy as a pioneer who changed the conversation about what it means to be a champion—both on and off the ice. Her journey from retirement to World Champion to Olympic medal contender in just two years stands as one of the most remarkable stories in sports history.

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