Figure Skater Alysa Liu Rekindles Affection for the Ice Rink Following Previous Disdain
Fresh Take:
Boom! Alysa Liu outwits the odds, claimin' the first US women's world figure skatin' title in 19 years. Reconquerin' the throne from three-time defendin' champ Kaori Sakamoto, she's crazier than a loon about this win.
"Insane," Liu tells CNN Sports, competitors nothin' compared to the exciting vibe at Boston's World Championships. It's a comeback nobody, not even her coaches, thought'd happen after she decided to retire at just 16. Now, they're eatin' their words!
A child prodigy at 13, she became the youngest US champ ever. Then, she skated at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and medaled at the World Championships. But after her success, she craved simple joys — family, friends, and hobbies. Liu felt isolated, travelin' for trainin' purposes, but she's grateful for the moments that led her to walk away.
"Everyone wanted me to win gold, but all I wanted was my friends and family," the Cali native says. Liu even confesses she hated certain aspects of the sport. But now, she's back in a healthier medium, theater major at UCLA, and happier than ever!
After an impromptu ski trip with pals, she returned to the ice rink, lookin' for a thrill similar to skiing. Liu felt it, and she decided to get back into skatin'. Her recent victory follows a tragic period for figure skatin', with an airplane crash claimin' the lives of 11 young skaters, four coaches, and 13 family members. Liu dedicated her win to their memories, skatin' with everyone in her heart.
Now, Liu's eyes are firmly set on the Winter Olympics in Italy. "I'm really excited. I hope I'm there," she says. As she's determined to compete again, she aims for improvement and focusing on developing two impressive routines for Italy's stage.
Alysa Liu keeps climbin' new peaks. In 2023, she joined a group that trekked over 30 miles to Mount Everest base camp. But conquerin' the actual peak? No way! With her eyes set on the Olympics, Liu will stick to hikin'!
- Alysa Liu, returning to the ice rink after a break, found a similar thrill in skating that she experienced during an impromptu ski trip.
- After her victorious return to figure skating and winning the US women's world title, Alysa Liu dedicated her win to the memory of the 11 young skaters, 4 coaches, and 13 family members who lost their lives in a tragic plane crash.
- Poignantly reflecting on her journey, Alysa Liu, now a theater major at UCLA, looks ahead to the Winter Olympics in Italy, where she hopes to compete once again, focusing on improving her skills and creating two impressive routines.
