Alysa Liu has taken center stage at the 2025 World Championships, leading after a stellar short program that left fans and judges in awe. The 19-year-old American, known for her effortless grace and technical brilliance, spoke with sports correspondent Maya Bagriantseva about her performance, her mindset heading into the free skate, and the growing buzz surrounding the potential return of Russian skaters.

As the competition unfolds, the figure skating world finds itself revisiting a familiar controversy. Kamila Valieva, once the crown jewel of Russian figure skating, is back in the headlines. Her attorneys are now challenging the four-year ban handed down by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, claiming that the World Anti-Doping Agency withheld and manipulated evidence that could have supported Valieva’s defense. With Milan-Cortina 2026 inching closer, the conversation surrounding Valieva’s potential return is impossible to ignore.

Liu’s commanding presence at the 2025 World Championships comes at a time when the absence of Russian figure skaters is a lingering topic in the sport. With political tensions escalating in Ukraine, Russian athletes remain banned from major international competitions, including the Figure Skating World Championships, for the third consecutive year. The impact is undeniable. Russia has long dominated the sport, producing some of the most formidable competitors. “Would it be more interesting for me to compete if Russian figure skaters were participating in the World Championships? I don’t know, maybe. Honestly, I think the more people competing in an event, the more fun it is,” Liu said.

Unlike the controversy surrounding Kamila Valieva’s potential return, Liu is focused solely on the joy of competing. The 19-year-old, who made a stunning comeback after retiring at 16, exudes a refreshed perspective on the sport. “I like everything about how my life is right now. I absolutely love training, though I try not to do it every single day,” she shared. Her words reflect a skater who has found balance, embracing both the challenge and the thrill of performing at the highest level. While some wonder what the competition would look like with Russian athletes back in the mix, Liu seems unbothered. Her priority is enjoying every moment on the ice.

That mindset translated into a mesmerizing performance in the short program, where Liu posted a 74.58 to take the lead. With Milan-Cortina 2026 on the horizon, the narrative around Russian figure skating remains uncertain. But for Liu, the only thing that matters is the thrill of competition. “I love competing because, believe me, it’s the coolest feeling,” she said. Regardless of who’s on the ice, she’s here to perform. And she’s here to win!

Alysa Liu’s unexpected farewell: A retirement, a reset, and a triumphant return

At just 16, Alysa Liu sent shockwaves through the figure skating world with a simple Instagram post. One that marked the end of an era. On April 9, she stunned fans by announcing her retirement, writing, “I’m here to announce that I am retiring from skating.” Having dedicated 11 years to the sport, the decision wasn’t made lightly. But for Liu, the dream had already been fulfilled. After competing at the 2022 Winter Olympics and securing a bronze at the World Championships, she had reached her goal. “My only goal was to go to the Olympics. I’m only 16. I want to do other stuff. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s purely for myself. I guess it’s selfish,” she explained.

Liu had been a trailblazer from the start, becoming the youngest U.S. national champion at just 13 and making history as the first American woman to land a quad jump in competition. But beneath the groundbreaking achievements, exhaustion loomed. “I was so into skating that I really didn’t do much else,” she admitted, revealing how the relentless cycle of training and competing had left her drained. There were times when the joy she once felt on the ice had disappeared entirely. Her longtime coach, Phillip DiGuglielmo, supported her choice. “She felt she had kept up her side of the bargain with her father and the skating community.” Liu knew it was time to walk away on her own terms.

Retirement, however, wasn’t about quitting. It was about healing. Liu embraced her newfound freedom, embarking on a 17-day trek to Mount Everest Base Camp and exploring life beyond the rink. By the fall of 2023, she was enrolled at UCLA, immersing herself in a completely different world. The time away allowed her to reset, both physically and mentally. And as fate would have it, that reset eventually led her back to skating. This time, on her own terms, stronger and more energized than ever.