In a stunning performance that captivated the figure skating world, 18-year-old Alysa Liu became the first American woman to claim gold at the World Figure Skating Championships since Kimmie Meissner in 2006. The California native’s victory in Montreal marks a triumphant comeback for U.S. women’s skating on the global stage.
Liu delivered a masterclass in technical precision and artistic expression during Saturday’s free skate, landing three triple Axels across her two programs—a feat never before accomplished by an American woman at Worlds. Her final score of 228.63 points edged out Japan’s defending champion Kaori Sakamoto by 3.41 points in one of the closest finishes in recent championship history.
“This moment feels surreal,” Liu told reporters through tears after the medal ceremony. “When I saw the scores, I just kept thinking about all those early morning practices and everyone who believed in me.”
The road to gold wasn’t without challenges. After winning back-to-back U.S. championships in 2019 and 2020 as a teenager, Liu took a brief competitive break in 2021 before returning with a more mature style. Her transformation under coach Massimo Scali has been remarkable, evolving from a jumping prodigy to a complete skater with world-class artistry.
The victory carries special significance for American skating. Since Michelle Kwan’s last world title in 2003, U.S. women had only reached the podium three times before Liu’s breakthrough. Her win comes at a pivotal moment as figure skating prepares for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics.
“I remember watching Michelle’s performances as a little girl,” Liu shared. “To follow in that tradition means everything.”
Reactions poured in across social media:
- Olympic champion Nathan Chen called it “a new era for American skating”
- Former rival Mariah Bell tweeted “So proud of this journey!”
- The White House account posted congratulations within hours
With the world title secured, Liu now turns her attention to the upcoming Grand Prix season while potentially reshaping the trajectory of U.S. women’s skating for years to come.