Alysa Liu Captures First U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Gold Since 2002
Updated (2 articles)
Liu Ends 24‑Year Olympic Drought With Historic Victory — At the 2026 Winter Games on February 19, 20‑year‑old Alysa Liu delivered a career‑best free skate to win the women’s individual title, scoring 226.79 points and delivering the first U.S. gold in the event since Sarah Hughes in Salt Lake City 2002 [1][2]. The win marks the highest total of Liu’s competitive career and ends a 24‑year Olympic gold drought for Team USA [1][2]. Her performance secured a 226.79‑point total, the top mark of her career [1][2].
Retirement Announced Via Instagram in April 2022 — Liu posted an Instagram announcement in April 2022 stating, “Heyyyyy so i’m here to announce that i am retiring from skating,” after an 11‑year competitive career that began at age five [1][2]. She cited relentless training, homeschooling, and limited social interaction as factors that led to burnout and a desire for normal human connection [1][2]. The retirement came after a strong 2022 season, including a sixth‑place finish at the Beijing Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships [2].
Career‑Best Free Skate Earned 226.79 Points — Liu’s free skate at the 2026 Games featured technical and artistic elements that pushed her total to a personal best of 226.79 points [1][2]. The score surpassed her previous records and positioned her ahead of the competition, confirming her return to elite form after a four‑year hiatus [1][2]. Judges highlighted her improved jump execution and mature choreography as key contributors to the high mark [1][2].
Post‑Retirement Life Focuses on Family and Normalcy — After stepping away from competition, Liu described spending time with siblings and friends as “rewarding” and “feeling human” for the first time in years [1][2]. She emphasized the relief of reconnecting with loved ones and attending ordinary social events, contrasting sharply with her earlier intensive training schedule [1][2]. This personal shift underscores the emotional toll of elite sport and her renewed focus on personal well‑being [1][2].
Sources
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1.
WBNS: Alysa Liu Wins Olympic Gold After 2022 Retirement: reports Liu’s gold, 226.79 points, first U.S. women’s title since 2002, and her retirement via Instagram, emphasizing training burnout and post‑retirement family life .
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2.
King5: Alysa Liu Wins Olympic Gold Then Reflects on 2022 Retirement: adds Liu’s 2022 season results (sixth at Beijing, bronze at Worlds) and similar retirement details, highlighting her personal reflections on the intense early training schedule .
Timeline
Feb 2002 – Sarah Hughes wins the women’s individual figure‑skating gold for the United States, the last U.S. Olympic title in the event before Liu’s 2026 victory [1][2].
Feb 2022 – Alysa Liu places sixth in the women’s singles at the Beijing Winter Olympics, marking the final Olympic appearance of her pre‑retirement career [2].
Mar 2022 – Liu captures the bronze medal at the World Figure Skating Championships, confirming her status among the sport’s elite before stepping away [2].
Apr 2022 – Liu announces her retirement on Instagram, stating “Heyyyyy so i’m here to announce that i am retiring from skating,” after an 11‑year competitive career that began at age five [1][2].
2022‑2026 – Post‑retirement, Liu describes “hanging out with my siblings” and attending friends’ birthday parties as feeling “so human for the first time,” emphasizing the personal relief from years of nonstop training and homeschooling [1][2].
Feb 2026 – Liu delivers a career‑best free skate to win the women’s individual gold at the 2026 Winter Games with 226.79 points, ending a 24‑year U.S. drought and becoming the first American champion since Sarah Hughes [1][2].