Alysa Liu never expected to win the world championships. After all, the 19-year-old figure skater retired from the sport three years ago, only returning to training again a year ago and international competition six months ago.

Alysa Liu becomes the first U.S. woman to win a world title since 2006, after having returned to international competition only last October, her first since winning a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships.

Alysa Liu, who walked away from figure skating at age 16 and returned last year, won the 2025 world championship on Friday.