Resurgent Alysa Liu wins women’s figure skating world title
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Alysa Liu had walked away from the sport in 2022 at the age of 16 and returned just a year ago.
PHOTO: AFP
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BOSTON – Alysa Liu could not believe that she won the women’s figure skating world title on March 28, after delivering a dazzling free skate to edge out three-time defending champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan.
The American, who walked away from the sport in 2022 at the age of 16 and returned in 2024, defied the pressure Sakamoto piled on her and became the first American woman to win the world title since Kimmie Meissner in 2006.
“This is an insane story,” Liu told broadcaster NBC.
“I don’t know how I came back to be world champion. I never would have thought.”
Skating last as the leader after the short programme, Liu had seen Sakamoto surge from fifth to first with a captivating, technically strong performance.
But the 19-year-old responded, bringing the sell-out crowd at Boston’s TD Garden to their feet with a thrilling routine.
From her opening jump, the gold-clad Liu went from strength to strength, scoring 148.39 for the free skate for a total of 222.97 points. She said it was the best routine of her return and she beamed in delight, and possibly disbelief, as she left the ice to roars from the crowd.
“It means so much to me,” said Liu, who won the bronze in 2022 before stepping away from the sport, saying she wanted to move on with her life.
“Kind of everything that I’ve been through – my last skating experience, my time away and this time around. I’m so happy. I’m mostly glad I could put out two of my best performances.”
Sakamoto’s bid to become the first woman in 65 years to win four consecutive world crowns had taken a hit when she finished a disappointing fifth in the short programme.
But she gave herself a shot with a free skate that garnered 146.95 points and vaulted her to the lead on 217.98 points.
But as Liu waited for her scores to be delivered, an emotional Sakamoto raced over to congratulate the American with a massive hug.
“I had to watch the remaining four people skate in front of me. And I was so emotional,” the Japanese said.
“I was crying, Alysa won, I cried again. And then I was feeling a bit frustrated that, you know, I wish it was me. Then I started crying again. There’s just a lot of emotions piling up inside of me.”
Liu, who has called her first full season back a “starter season”, has now stamped herself a favourite for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics less than a year away.
Japan’s Mone Chiba, second after the short programme, was third with a total of 215.24 points. AFP
