Alysa Liu’s figure skating journey has taken her from becoming the youngest U.S. national champion at age 13 to walking away from the sport at 16, and eventually returning on her own terms to claim Olympic gold at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games. Behind her historic rise and resurgence stands her father, Arthur Liu, who supported her skating journey from childhood while she navigated immense pressure and expectations.

A Dedicated Father and a Child Prodigy

Alysa Liu was just five years old when her father introduced her to the ice at the Oakland Ice Center in California. Recognizing her exceptional natural talent, coach Laura Lipetsky encouraged private coaching, prompting Arthur—a single father raising five children while working as an attorney—to invest heavily in her development.

Arthur's involvement was all-encompassing, driving her to early morning practices, monitoring sessions with a radar gun to clock the speed of her jumps, and financing elite training. Reflecting on those intense early years, Arthur stated in an interview with 60 Minutes: “I spared no money, no time.”

The dedication yielded rapid results. At 13, Liu became the youngest woman ever to win the U.S. national championship, successfully defending her title the following year. However, reaching the sport's summit at such a young age meant sacrificing typical teenage experiences in exchange for grueling training regimes.

Walking Away at 16

By the time Liu competed at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, she had spent over a decade dedicating her life to figure skating. After finishing seventh in Beijing and securing a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships—the first world medal for an American woman since 2016—she made the surprising announcement to retire at just 16 years old.

Explaining her decision at the time, Liu expressed a sense of fulfillment and a desire for normal life outside the rink: “I started skating when I was 5, so that’s about 11 years on the ice… I honestly never thought I would accomplish as much as I did. I feel so satisfied with how my career went. Now that I’m done with my goals in skating, I’m going to move on with my life.”

Stepping away allowed Liu to attend UCLA, build friendships, earn her driver’s license, and travel to Mount Everest Base Camp, giving her the space to discover her identity outside of competitive athletics.

The Return to the Ice

The urge to skate returned unexpectedly during a ski trip in early 2024, when the sensation of physical exertion reignited her enthusiasm. She resumed training nearly two years after retiring, this time insisting on full creative and athletic independence over her routines, music, and costuming.

“I wanted to come back for myself and enjoy the ice,” Liu explained regarding her return. “Before, I was skating for goals and expectations. This time, I’m doing it because I truly love to skate, and having my family behind me makes it even more special.”

Her refreshed mindset translated into immediate dominance. Liu captured the 2025 World Championships in Boston—becoming the first American woman to win the world title since 2006—setting the stage for a historic Olympic campaign.

Historic Double Gold in 2026

Liu's comeback culminated at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, where she led the United States to gold in the team event before capturing the women's individual singles title. The triumph made her the first American woman to win individual Olympic figure skating gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002.

Throughout the transition, her relationship with her father also evolved into one of mutual respect and newfound independence. Praising her father's early sacrifices, Liu said: “My dad supported me through everything. He spent so much time and sacrificed so much so I could pursue my dream. He was always there at every competition, encouraging me and making sure I was okay as a person first.”