History of Alysa Liu in Timeline

Alysa Liu is an accomplished American figure skater. She is the 2026 Winter Olympic champion in both women's singles and the team event, the 2025 World champion, the 2022 World bronze medalist, the 2025–26 Grand Prix Final champion, a two-time Grand Prix medalist, a four-time Challenger Series champion, and a two-time U.S. national champion.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1989: Father's Exile to the U.S.

In 1989, Alysa Liu's father, Arthur Liu, a Chinese dissident, went into exile in the U.S. through Operation Yellowbird due to the crackdown on participants in the Tiananmen Square Protests.

2002: First American woman to win gold since Sarah Hughes

Alysa Liu became the first American woman to win gold in figure skating at the Olympics since Sarah Hughes in 2002.

August 8, 2005: Alysa Liu's Birth

Alysa Liu was born on August 8, 2005. She is an American figure skater.

2006: First American woman to medal since Sasha Cohen

Alysa Liu became the first American woman to medal in figure skating at the Olympics since Sasha Cohen in 2006.

2016: Youngest Intermediate Gold Medalist

In 2016, at 10 years old, Alysa Liu became the youngest female skater to earn the intermediate gold medal at the U.S. Championships, winning by less than a point.

2017: Silver Medal at Asian Open Trophy

In 2017, Alysa Liu opened her season with a silver medal at the Asian Open Trophy where she finished second to Japan's Mana Kawabe.

August 2018: First Clean Triple Axel

In August 2018, Alysa Liu won gold at the Asian Open Trophy and became the youngest skater in history to perform a clean triple Axel in competition.

2018: Won junior division at U.S. Championships

In 2018, Alysa Liu won the junior division at the U.S. Championships despite suffering from a cold and sore throat. She earned 120.33 points during her long program after landing two double Axels and seven triple jumps, which were all backloaded in the second half of the program.

January 25, 2019: Alysa Liu becomes youngest U.S. senior women's champion

On January 25, 2019, Alysa Liu, at the age of 13, made history by becoming the youngest skater to win the U.S. senior women's title, breaking Tara Lipinski's record. She achieved this at the U.S. Championships in Detroit, Michigan. Liu placed second in the short program and first in the free skate, also becoming the youngest female skater to land a triple Axel at the U.S. Nationals, as well as the third female skater to do so, and the first to do so during the short program at Nationals. She also completed three triple Axels in the competition.

August 2019: Aurora Games and Quadruple Lutz

In August 2019, at the inaugural Aurora Games, Alysa Liu led the U.S. team to first place and was the first American female skater to successfully complete a quadruple Lutz in competition, although not at an ISU-recognized event.

2019: Junior Grand Prix Final Silver Medal

In 2019, Alysa Liu won the silver medal at the Junior Grand Prix Final.

June 22, 2020: Coaching Team Change

On June 22, 2020, Alysa Liu announced that her father switched her coaches from Laura Lipetsky to Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali.

December 2020: Resuming Training Ultra-C Elements

As of December 2020, Alysa Liu resumed training the triple Axel in preparation for the next season.

December 2020: Jeremy Abbott Joins Coaching Team

In December 2020, Alysa Liu announced the addition of Jeremy Abbott to her coaching team.

June 2021: High School Graduation

In June 2021, Alysa Liu graduated from high school at the age of 15.

2021: U.S. Championships Result

In 2021, Alysa Liu competed at the U.S. Championships in Las Vegas and placed fourth overall.

2023: Enrolled at UCLA

In fall 2023, Alysa Liu enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she is currently studying psychology.

March 1, 2024: Alysa Liu announces her return to figure skating

On March 1, 2024, Alysa Liu announced her comeback to figure skating via an Instagram post. U.S. Figure Skating confirmed her return. She explained her decision was influenced by her experience with skiing. She rejoined her former coaches, Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali, and relocated her training base to Lakewood Ice in Lakewood, California, while also working with coaches Amy Evidente and Ivan Dinev.

March 2, 2025: Alysa Liu performs at Legacy on Ice

On March 2, 2025, Alysa Liu participated in Legacy on Ice, an ice show organized by U.S. Figure Skating, which honored lives lost aboard American Eagle Flight 5342.

May 2025: Rejoined Stars on Ice Tour

In May 2025, Alysa Liu rejoined Stars on Ice for its U.S. leg.

2025: 2025 Skate America and Grand Prix Final

In 2025, Alysa Liu competed at Skate America, winning the gold medal. She also debuted at the Grand Prix Final, taking the gold.

2025: Competed at 2025 CS Lombardia Trophy

In early September 2025, Alysa Liu competed at the CS Lombardia Trophy, where she won the short program but finished fourth overall after placing fifth in the free skate. She decided to replace her short program set to "This Is How It Feels" due to news reports about an investigation involving one of the associated artists. She temporarily re-used her "MacArthur Park" free program.

March 2026: Awarded key to the city of Oakland

In March 2026, following her Olympic gold medal wins, Alysa Liu was awarded the key to the city of Oakland.

2026: Stars on Ice Tour

Alysa Liu returned to the Stars on Ice tour for its 2026 season.

2026: The Tonight Show appearance

Before the 2026 Winter Olympics, Alysa Liu returned to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and was featured on 60 Minutes.

2026: Partnerships for the 2026 Winter Olympics

Heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Alysa Liu partnered with Nike and Samsung Galaxy. She also appeared in a commercial for Gillette Venus.

2026: 2026 U.S. Championships and Winter Olympics selection

In early January 2026, Liu debuted her revamped "Lady Gaga" free program at the U.S. Championships, where she won the silver medal. Subsequently, she was named to the U.S. team for the 2026 Winter Olympics and chose to use her "MacArthur Park" free program there.

2026: Withdrawal from 2026 World Figure Skating Championships

In early March 2026, Alysa Liu withdrew from the World Figure Skating Championships due to an overly committed schedule and inadequate preparation time. Second alternate Sarah Everhardt was named to replace her, after first alternate Bradie Tennell declined the offer.