Alysa Liu, a talented American figure skater, has made a stunning comeback by clinching the top spot in the short program at the prestigious World Figure Skating Championships. Liu, aged 19, captivated the audience at the TD Garden in Boston with a flawless routine that included impressive jumps like a triple flip-triple toe combination, double Axel, and triple Lutz. Her performance to the music “Promise” by Laufey not only showcased her technical skills but also revealed a new level of maturity in her skating. Liu’s score of 74.58 placed her ahead of Mone Chiba of Japan, who secured the second position with a score of 73.44.
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NBC commentator and former Olympic champion Tara Lipinski praised Liu for her confidence and emotional connection to her performance, noting that Liu exuded joy and grace on the ice. What sets Liu’s return to the sport apart is her early retirement at the age of 16 after achieving significant milestones such as becoming the youngest U.S. champion at 13 and successfully landing a quadruple jump, a feat unprecedented for an American female skater. Liu surprised the skating world by announcing her comeback in March 2024 and has since been showcasing her exceptional talent and dedication on the ice.
Liu’s fellow American skater, Isabeau Levito, claimed the third spot with a score of 73.33 despite skipping the U.S. Championships earlier due to a foot injury. Meanwhile, reigning U.S. champion Amber Glenn faced a setback during the short program, sliding to the ninth position after stumbling on her signature triple Axel jump. The competition also saw three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto from Japan struggle, currently holding the fifth position after a mistake in her routine.
The World Figure Skating Championships in 2025 hold significant importance for skaters aiming to secure berths for their respective countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. The top placements at the championships will play a crucial role in determining the number of slots each country will have in the women’s figure skating event at the upcoming Olympics. With the level of competition heating up, the pressure is on for Liu, Levito, and Glenn to secure top positions that could potentially secure three berths for the U.S. women’s figure skating team.
Reflecting on her performance, Alysa Liu expressed satisfaction with her skate, highlighting a sense of accomplishment with her footwork and overall routine. The upcoming women’s free skate event will be a decisive moment in the championships, as skaters will battle for medals and coveted Olympic berths. Figure skating enthusiasts can catch all the action from the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Stay tuned for more breathtaking performances and fierce competition as the world’s top figure skaters vie for glory on the ice.