Alysa Liu, the 20-year-old Olympic gold medalist, has been honoured with the prestigious Best Breakthrough Athlete award at the annual ESPYs, a recognition she received on July 15 at the Lincoln Center in New York City. This accolade comes after Liu’s remarkable performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she showcased her extraordinary talents in figure skating.
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Liu achieved historic success during the Winter Games held in Milan, where she secured gold medals in both the women’s singles and mixed team events. Her triumph marks a significant milestone, as she became the first American woman to win gold in singles since 2002. This achievement stands testament to Liu’s determination and resilience, especially following a brief hiatus from competitive skating, which she took to recalibrate her ambitions in the sport.
Accepting the award, Liu expressed her gratitude and reflected on her journey. “I’m really honoured to be given this award,” she said, speaking to the audience at the David H. Koch Theater. “I’ve been in my sport since I was five years old and had some really rough times in it, including taking two years off. So, for me, this really feels like I broke through in my own way, for myself, and for my sport. I love being an athlete, and I couldn’t have done it without my team.”
Prior to her Olympic success, Liu had already made a name for herself by capturing the U.S. National Championship title twice in 2019 and 2020, becoming the youngest champion in the history of the event at just 13. Her technical prowess, particularly her ability to perform challenging quad and triple Axel jumps, has solidified her status as a leading figure in the competitive skating community.
During the 2026 Winter Olympics, Liu captivated audiences with a stunning routine set to Laufey’s song “Promise.” This performance not only highlighted her technical skill but also mirrored her personal journey of returning to the ice after stepping away from the sport. The emotional impact of the performance resonated deeply, leading to Liu being featured in a music video for Laufey’s track “Mad Woman” alongside other young talents.
Despite her Olympic success, Liu decided not to compete at the 2026 ISU Figure Skating World Championships, citing the many exciting developments following her return from Milan. In a now-expired Instagram post, she revealed, “As some of y’all already know, I withdrew from Worlds. There’s been a lot of exciting things happening since my return from Milan, so I’m taking some time for that. I will be cheering everyone on from afar — see y’all next season!!” This decision indicates her prioritisation of personal growth and wellbeing, rather than succumbing to the pressure to compete immediately after her Olympic performances.
The recognition of Liu as a breakthrough athlete is not just a reflection of her technical achievements on the ice but also of her ability to inspire. Her journey from early struggles in her career to becoming an Olympic champion exemplifies the resilience and tenacity that many young athletes aspire to demonstrate.
As Liu continues her journey in the realm of figure skating, she remains an important figure in the sport, admired for both her achievements and her uplifting spirit. As she steps away from competition momentarily to focus on personal milestones and new opportunities, fans throughout the world will undoubtedly be eager to see what she accomplishes next. With her remarkable talent and inspiring story, Alysa Liu is poised to continue making waves in the figure skating community and beyond.