Who is Alysa Liu?: The California Native Who Redefined Her Sport
- Sofia Cortes Rodriguez
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
At just 20 years old, Alysa Liu stands at the summit of women’s figure skating, becoming
one of the most riveting in recent Winter Olympic history. Born in 2005 in Clovis, California,
Liu grew up far from the traditional figure skating breeding grounds of the East Coast. By 13,
she was already making history as the youngest national champion ever, a breakthrough that
announced her a prodigious talent.
Liu pushed the boundaries of women’s skating in her teens. She became the first
American woman to land a quadruple jump in competition and the youngest to land a triple Axel
at U.S. championships, feats that set her apart from her peers. Unfortunately, the pressure of
competition took its toll on her. After representing the United States at the 2022 Winter
Olympics and finishing sixth, she retired at just 16, hoping to be able to rest from the rink. Her
hiatus lasted a couple of years, but Liu’s passion for skating drew her back to the competition in
2024. In her return, she quickly climbed back to the top, claiming silver at the U.S.
Championships and then capturing the 2025 World Figure Skating Championship title. That
victory marked the first time an American woman has won that title since 2006.
The pinnacle of Liu’s comeback came
at the 2026 Winter Olympics in
Milano-Cortina d’Ampezzo, where at age 20
she achieved a historic double gold in both the
team event and the women’s singles. Her free
skate to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park”
earned high marks and widespread acclaim,
ending a 24-year U.S. Olympic gold medal
drought in women’s figure skating.
Off the ice, Liu’s personality and style
have made her a prominent figure beyond her
athletic achievements. Known for her “halo
ring” hairstyle, alternative clothing, and
charisma, she has become one of the most followed skaters on social media after the Olympics. Today Liu balances her athletic career with school as a psychology major at UCLA, becoming a symbol of achievement and authenticity.
SOURCES:
Comments