Alysa Liu Makes History as US Women’s World Skating Champion

Alysa Liu’s return to the world of figure skating was nothing short of historic. The 19-year-old from Clovis, California, wowed the crowd at TD Garden with her dazzling free skate to become the first American women’s figure skating world champion in nearly 20 years. Her performance, set to “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer, earned her a standing ovation and a total score of 222.97 points, securing her the gold medal.

Liu’s journey back to the ice after a two-year retirement was filled with challenges and triumphs. Once considered the sport’s rising star, Liu had won the U.S. championships at the age of 13 in 2019 and defended her title the following year. After competing in the Beijing Olympics and earning a bronze at the world championships in 2022, Liu decided to take a break and focus on being a normal college student.

But the thrill of competition called her back, and Liu officially announced her comeback on social media. Despite the uncertainties of returning to a highly competitive sport, Liu persevered and found herself back on top of the podium as the world champion.

Her victory was marked by heartfelt moments of sportsmanship, as her fellow competitors, including three-time defending champion Kaori Sakamoto, praised Liu’s resilience and talent. The skating community celebrated Liu’s win as a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport.

In addition to Liu’s triumph, American ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates delivered a standout performance of their own, earning a season-best score of 90.18 points for their rhythm dance. The duo is vying for their third consecutive title and showed why they are top contenders in the competition.

The night was filled with excitement and camaraderie as skaters from around the world showcased their skills and passion for the sport. Liu’s victory will go down in history as a remarkable achievement that inspired a new generation of figure skaters to dream big and never give up on their goals.