Alysa Liu becomes first American woman to win figure skating world championship in 19 years

In a stunning return to the sport, American figure skater Alysa Liu dethroned three-time defending champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan at the World Figure Skating Championships 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 stepping away from the sport in 2022. 

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“I mean, it means so much to me and everything I’ve been through,” Liu said after the victory. “My last skating experience, my time away and this time around — I’m so happy, I guess. I’m mostly glad I could put out two of my best performances.”

Liu was once considered a rising star as the youngest U.S. champ ever when she triumphed at the age of 13 in 2019 and then defended her title the next year. She fulfilled a childhood dream by qualifying for the Olympics, finishing sixth at the 2022 Beijing Games, and earned a bronze medal at the world championships that year.

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Alysa Liu of the U.S. competes in women’s free skating during the 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at TD Garden March 28, 2025, in Boston. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Then she stepped away. Liu decided skating had become less of a joy and more of a job, and she wanted to focus on being a normal college student. It wasn’t until she went on a ski trip and felt the rush of competition — albeit in a much different way, and with far lower stakes — that she began to think about a comeback.

Early last year, she made it official with a cryptic post on social media. And while the path back in a notoriously fickle sport was bumpy, Liu took a big step forward with her second-place finish to Glenn at the U.S. championships.

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She took the last step to the podium Friday night.

Gold medalist Alysa Liu of the U.S. poses for a photo after winning the women’s world championship during the 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at TD Garden March 28, 2025, in Boston.  (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

“I didn’t expect this. I didn’t have expectations coming in,” Liu said. “I never have expectations coming into competitions anymore. It’s moreso, ‘What can I put out performance-wise?’ I really met my expectations on my part.”

Liu is now in position to make the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic team for the U.S. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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