Alysa Liu, the American figure skater, retired at age 16 after a stellar junior career but staged an epic comeback that's dominating headlines in early 2026.

She's now Olympics-bound for Milan-Cortina, happier and more in control than ever.

Her Early Rise

Alysa burst onto the scene as a prodigy.

  • Became the youngest U.S. women's national champion at just 13 in 2019.
  • First woman to land a triple Axel and quad Salchow in one program.
  • Nabbed Olympic 6th place in Beijing 2022 and World Championships bronze that year.

By 16, though, burnout hit—she stepped away to reclaim her life, enjoying normal teen stuff like skiing for the first time.

The Comeback Story

Fast-forward to 2024: Alysa announced her return via Instagram, teasing "back on the ice."

Training kicked in, and she exploded back:

  • World Champion gold in Boston, March 2025—her best performance ever after just nine months of prep.
  • Gold at Grand Prix Final in Nagoya and World Team event.
  • Silver at U.S. Nationals in January 2026, locking her spot on Team USA with Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito (aka the viral "Blade Angels").

This isn't just nostalgia; it's a reinvention. Alysa now picks her own music, costumes, and routines—skating for art and joy , not pressure.

"I skate now to show what I can make, and what I can do... I refuse to not choose my own destiny." – Alysa Liu

Forum Buzz & Trending Vibes

Figure skating Reddit is lit over her.

  • Fans speculate on her "mysterious goal" (triple Axel return? Quad Lutz?): "I'm really intrigued by this mysterious objective!" – u/mediocre-spice (27 upvotes).
  • Hype for Olympics: "Alysa should definitely share the details because I'm really curious!" – u/looneylooser24.
  • Older 2020 threads worried her career was "over," but 2026 vibes are triumphant.

Trending context: With TikToks of the Blade Angels going viral, Alysa's story taps into themes of mental health breaks and second chances in elite sports—super timely as Milan-Cortina nears this month.

What's Next

Expect her in the team event short program soon, positioning Team USA for gold repeat potential.

At 20, Alysa's trajectory screams podium—maybe even that elusive Olympic gold—fueled by self-driven passion.

TL;DR at bottom: Alysa retired young, returned stronger, won Worlds 2025, and heads to 2026 Olympics on her terms—pure inspiration.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.