Alysa Liu, the 20-year-old American figure skater who shocked the world by retiring at just 16, is back and ready to take on the best in Italy.
Liu's triumphant return to competition has been nothing short of remarkable. She won gold at the 2022 World Championships, finishing third overall, a significant improvement from her sixth-place finish at the previous year's Olympics. Her recent victory at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games is seen as the icing on the cake, cementing her comeback and solidifying her status as one of the top skaters in the world.
But what makes Liu's resurgence all the more impressive is that she has regained control over her career, exerting greater input on everything from costumes to training schedules. Her coach, Phillip DiGuglielmo, describes it as a "reboot," with Liu now free to express her own opinions and values. The result is a skater who is not only more confident but also more focused.
Liu's meticulous approach to her craft is evident in every detail of her performances. She spent hours tweaking the music she skates to, going through 15 different versions before settling on one that suits her perfectly. Her dress for Friday's competition wasn't finalized until it was sent back to the tailor multiple times for alterations.
But what sets Liu apart from her peers is not just her attention to detail but also her unwavering confidence under pressure. When asked about her strategy going into the Milan Cortina Games, DiGuglielmo quips that Liu's brain doesn't get nervous before competitions. This self-assurance has undoubtedly contributed to her success.
Liu herself credits her time away from skating with a newfound appreciation for life. She was finally able to spend quality time with family and friends, attend birthday parties, and celebrate holidays like she never could as a skater. "It's crazy," she says, "I had never done any of that before. I would miss Christmases... And because I was able to give to people, I was given more myself."
For Liu, this return to competition is not just about winning but also about being true to herself. "Oh, it's fully for myself," she says with a smile. "Yeah, it's pretty cool."
Liu's triumphant return to competition has been nothing short of remarkable. She won gold at the 2022 World Championships, finishing third overall, a significant improvement from her sixth-place finish at the previous year's Olympics. Her recent victory at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games is seen as the icing on the cake, cementing her comeback and solidifying her status as one of the top skaters in the world.
But what makes Liu's resurgence all the more impressive is that she has regained control over her career, exerting greater input on everything from costumes to training schedules. Her coach, Phillip DiGuglielmo, describes it as a "reboot," with Liu now free to express her own opinions and values. The result is a skater who is not only more confident but also more focused.
Liu's meticulous approach to her craft is evident in every detail of her performances. She spent hours tweaking the music she skates to, going through 15 different versions before settling on one that suits her perfectly. Her dress for Friday's competition wasn't finalized until it was sent back to the tailor multiple times for alterations.
But what sets Liu apart from her peers is not just her attention to detail but also her unwavering confidence under pressure. When asked about her strategy going into the Milan Cortina Games, DiGuglielmo quips that Liu's brain doesn't get nervous before competitions. This self-assurance has undoubtedly contributed to her success.
Liu herself credits her time away from skating with a newfound appreciation for life. She was finally able to spend quality time with family and friends, attend birthday parties, and celebrate holidays like she never could as a skater. "It's crazy," she says, "I had never done any of that before. I would miss Christmases... And because I was able to give to people, I was given more myself."
For Liu, this return to competition is not just about winning but also about being true to herself. "Oh, it's fully for myself," she says with a smile. "Yeah, it's pretty cool."
she went from 6th place at the Olympics to gold at the World Championships in just one year! that's like going from bronze to gold in 365 days 
. and her recent win at the Milan Cortina Games is just icing on the cake 
.
it's like she's rebooting her whole skating persona, and it's totally working for her!
. and have u seen her dress changes? she sent that thing back to the tailor multiple times for alterations 
.
.
Alysa Liu's comeback story is giving me LIFE!!! She went from retreating at 16 to totally crushing it now at 20! Her dedication to perfecting every detail of her performances is so inspiring 
And I love how she's taking control of her own career, like, she gets to decide on everything from costumes to training schedules 
That level of confidence and self-assurance is seriously impressive 
What I admire most about her though, is that this comeback isn't just about winning, it's also about finding herself and being true to who she is 
! I mean, who can't respect a girl taking control of her career and rebooting her life? 
It's not just about winning anymore, she's got confidence, focus, and a passion for skating that's pure 
. And you know what's even cooler? She's finally found time to enjoy life outside the rink 
. Who wouldn't want to spend quality time with family, friends, and celebrate holidays like a normal person? 
Liu's comeback is truly inspiring, she's living proof that taking care of yourself can lead to amazing things 
.
OMG have u seen Alysa Liu's comeback story?! She went from retireing at 16 2 raking in gold medals now 20 & dominating the ice 
Her attention 2 detail is insane, tweaking music 4 hours n all 15 diff versions till she got it right lol! But wut really sets her apart is dat self-assurance under pressure, girl's got confidence oozing outta every pore 
. It's like she's tapped into this inner calm that allows her to perform at an elite level without getting nervous 
. And her newfound appreciation for life outside of skating is totally relatable – I mean, who doesn't love celebrating holidays with loved ones and attending birthday parties? 
.
.
I mean, that 2022 World Championships win was already impressive but the 2026 Milan Cortina Games gold? 
It's like she's been reborn or something!!! And can we talk about how empowered she looks now? Like, she's in total control of her career and it shows in every single detail of her performances 
I'm seriously getting chills thinking about all the time she put into tweaking that music for her routines 
And have you seen those interviews? That confidence and self-assurance? 
her attention to detail is insane too, 15 different versions of music before settling on one? no cap! 
and that newfound appreciation for life is so inspiring 
The way Alysa Liu has reclaimed control over her career is really interesting. I mean, think about it - as a professional athlete, your life can feel super dictated by coaches, sponsors, and expectations from others. But Liu's reboot is all about finding that balance between pleasing others and staying true to yourself. It's like she's found this inner harmony where she can be authentic and still perform at her best.
. She goes from basically quitting skating at 16 to being one of the top skaters in the world? That's some next-level dedication right there 
. It's like she's saying, "I used to be so focused on skating all the time, I forgot what it was like to just live." And now, she gets to experience life in a whole new way 
. It's like, this isn't just about the physical aspect of the sport anymore, it's about who she is as a person 
.
. She's got a newfound appreciation for life and that's really beautiful 
.
. Liu's comeback is not just about winning, but being true to herself and living her best life