Retiring at 16—wild, right? In most sports, that’s when athletes are just getting their groove. Take figure skating, for example. At 16, American sensation Ilia Malinin (now 19) was already racking up wins in JGP France and Austria, locking in his spot at the Junior Grand Prix Final like it was just another Tuesday. That was just his opening act. And then there was Alysa Liu, the teenage trailblazer who had her own meteoric rise at the same age. But plot twist: after making her Olympic debut, she called it quits, skating off into early retirement in search of something skating couldn’t quite give her—peace of mind.

But guess what? Liu’s back, folks. That’s right, she’s lacing up her boots and hitting the ice again, ready to find the joy that once slipped through her fingers. The only question is, will this second round be a glide or a grind? And how is the skating world welcoming its prodigal daughter?

Alysa Liu is hopeful of confronting challenges 

Alysa Liu perfectly remembers what she did when she was 16. She remembers that her exceptional talent accompanied her to earn sixth place in the figure skating event of the 2022 Winter Olympics. But now, as she eyes a spot on the U.S. team for the 2026 Winter Games, she knows that kind of momentum isn’t guaranteed. The now 19-year-old Liu isn’t under any illusion about the challenge ahead. In her exclusive interaction with the Olympics.com, Liu said, “I think making the U.S. Olympic team is going to be very challenging, especially coming back.” And why? Because she’s got some serious ground to make up.

“I have to rebuild myself,” she admitted, summing up her current struggle. When she retired in April 2022, just after snagging a bronze at the World Championships, it was a goodbye born out of exhaustion and a need for a mental reset. But by March of this year, the itch to return became too much to ignore. She took to social media, announcing her comeback with renewed determination. The catch? She hadn’t stayed connected with the sport during her hiatus. And in figure skating, a gap like that is practically an abyss.

Her return to competition at Skate Canada was proof of how steep the climb will be. Liu placed sixth—not exactly where she wanted to be, but she’s not sweating the numbers. Rather, the two-time US national figure skating champion said, “I like having the fight in me; it makes me feel alive…So I think the competitions – and even the failures – push me to continue growing and working harder.” That sounded phenomenal for someone who had once failed to find motivation in the sport. So, what flipped the switch? What made her lace up her skates again and embrace the challenge with open arms?

The icy sport has a distinct way to motivate athletes

In her two and half years away from figure skating, Alysa Liu tried to enjoy her life in a larger frame. She joined the Stars on Ice tour with her American teammates to get an “unbeatable feeling.” She extended the fun by spending a “true vacation” with her family members. Furthermore, she joined her classes at UCLA to taste the different routes of her life. All these experiences added to her book of memories, letting her feel refreshed. Yet, her muscle memory of figure skating came to life, following an uncommon experience. 

During her time at UCLA, Alysa Liu had an unexpected moment that changed everything: a winter break skiing trip. As a decorated figure skater, she was always under strict supervision to avoid any potential injuries, so this invitation was surprising. But it was more than just a fun day out—it was an epiphany. Liu shared, “[When we went skiing], it reminded me of skating like nothing I had done before. … After it, I was like, ‘Wait, maybe I should go to skate a public session for fun because it might be just as fun as skiing was.’”

That skiing trip became the spark she didn’t know she needed. The girl who once struggled with the relentless grind of the sport was now looking at it with fresh eyes. Sure, she’d always been competitive, but enjoying the struggle? That was new. And now, Liu is all in, balancing both love and fight in her return to figure skating. But here’s the question: will this rejuvenated mindset be enough to fuel her second chapter? Can this newfound joy help her reclaim her place at the top? What do you think?