Liu Breaks U.S. Drought with Stunning Victory at Figure Skating World Championships

BOSTON — Alysa Liu glided onto the ice, her golden dress bright under the lights, and the cheers of the crowd filled the arena. After nearly two years away from the sport, her return wasn’t just triumphant; it was historic.

At just 19, Liu became the first American woman to win a world figure skating championship in 19 years, stunning three-time champion Kaori Sakamoto with her dazzling free skate. Skating to a beautiful version of "MacArthur Park" by Boston’s own Donna Summer, Liu captured the moment and finished with a score of 222.97 points.

"This means everything to me," Liu said, reflecting on her journey. "I’m just glad I could show my best performances again after everything I’ve been through."

Liu’s coaching team embraced her in the "kiss-and-cry area" right after the score announcement. In a heartwarming exchange, Sakamoto came over to Liu—a moment that felt like a symbolic passing of the torch. Liu is now in the same spotlight where Kimmie Meissner stood back in 2006, the last American woman to hold this title.

"How is this real?" Liu exclaimed, overwhelmed. Sakamoto earned silver with 217.98 points, and her teammate Mone Chiba took bronze with a score of 215.24. Isabeau Levito and Amber Glenn also made the top 5, showcasing that American figure skating is on the rise again.

"The competition is fierce, but we all support each other," Levito shared. "Team USA is strong!"

Liu’s story is one of resilience. She burst onto the scene as a prodigy and became the youngest U.S. champion at just 13 in 2019. But after qualifying for the Olympics and finishing sixth at the 2022 Winter Games, she hit a wall. Skating felt more like a job than a joy.

A ski trip reignited her passion, and soon after, she signaled her return to skating. The journey back had its bumps—Liu finished second at the U.S. championships before claiming the world title now.

"I try not to set expectations anymore," she said. "It’s about how I feel on the ice and what I can perform."

Sakamoto couldn’t hide her admiration for Liu’s journey. "To see her come back and win…it’s inspiring," she remarked.

Earlier, American ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates wowed the crowd, leading with a season-best score of 90.18 in their rhythm dance. Their fun performance linked music from the Beach Boys to the vibrant dance styles of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s.

"The energy was incredible," Chock said. "It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had skate competing."

Chock and Bates are now one step away from achieving a three-peat championship, something not seen since the legendary duo Oksana Grishuk and Evgeni Platov dominated the ‘90s.

Whether it’s Liu’s breathtaking comeback or Chock and Bates’ lively dance routines, there’s a resurgence of American talent in figure skating. This young generation is inspiring fans and former skaters alike.

For more information on the world figure skating championship, check out reports from the International Skating Union.

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