It looks like neither Alysa Liu nor the ice could not keep their distance. Just two weeks after clinching a bronze medal at the World Figure Skating Championships, Alysa Liu had dropped a bombshell that left fans reeling: she’s hanging up her skates for good. In an emotional Instagram post, the skating sensation announced she’s “done with my goals in skating” and is ready to “move on with my life.”   

But that was two years ago when she was just 16. After a stunning exit from the sport in 2022, the now 19-year-old is back and ready to reclaim her place on the international figure skating stage. But how does she frame her journey now, having stepped away, taken time for herself, and then chosen to return to a sport that’s both grueling and glamorous? 

Alysa Liu on skating as an adult

Alysa Liu, the 19-year-old, now living in Los Angeles while attending UCLA, reflects on her comeback with a new perspective. “Skating’s different now because I’m coming back as an adult,” Alysa shared. Speaking with Olympics.com, she described the shift in mindset that comes with growing older and gaining independence. “I’m taking more like ownership of it, I guess. And like… no one’s driving me to the rink; no one’s overseeing everything I do.”

Alysa’s been through the intense pressures of being a teenage skating star—achieving world-class results before most people even had their driver’s licenses—but now, her path is different. Now, it’s on her terms. Liu is set to make her official return to international competition this weekend at the Budapest Trophy in Hungary, an ISU Challenger Series event. It’ll be her first international appearance since the 2022 World Championships, and fans can hardly contain their excitement to see what this new chapter holds.

The California native has returned to the ice and she’s back on top.

The 19-year-old skater made a stunning comeback at the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, where she dominated the women’s short program on January 23. Liu earned an impressive 76.36 points, putting her firmly in the lead and outpacing her competitors, including Bradie Tennell (71.23) and the pre-event favorite Amber Glenn (70.91).

It’s been a long road back for Alysa, who hasn’t competed at the U.S. Championships since the 2022 edition, where she was forced to withdraw after the short program due to testing positive for COVID-19. But as we now know, the break was short-lived. Alysa’s return to skating this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. In her two Grand Prix assignments, she placed fourth and sixth, but it was her triumphs at the Challenger Series events in Budapest and Zagreb that truly showcased her resilience and drive. 

Now, back at the U.S. Championships, the 19-year-old seems to be skating with a maturity and confidence that reflects her time off the ice. In practice, she’s been spotted attempting triple Axel jumps, a daring move that proves her skills are as sharp as ever. But it was the emotional moment at the end of the 2022 World Bronze Medalist program that truly stole the show. As the final notes of the music echoed through the arena, Alysa could barely contain her tears. She doubled over, overwhelmed with emotion, as the crowd erupted in a standing ovation—her first of the evening.