Alisa Liu returns to reclaim her throne, winning 2 gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics after leaving the sport at age 16.
On 20 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Alisa Liu, a U.S. national figure skater, made a remarkable comeback at the 2026 Winter Olympics by winning 2 gold medals at age 20. Her return attracted much attention, as she had previously announced her retirement at 16.
Liu was the youngest U.S. champion and the first American woman to successfully land a Triple Axel at the international level. After finishing sixth at the 2022 Winter Olympics and earning a bronze at that year's World Championships, she decided to retire, citing mental health struggles from pressure and feeling she missed out on a full teenage experience.
This comeback was challenging since figure skating demands continuous physical and technical training. After a one-year break, Liu gradually resumed practice and competition, ultimately achieving her career-best by winning 2 gold medals at the Winter Olympics and becoming the first American woman to win a world championship since 2006.
For Alisa Liu, this return was less about proving something to others and more about reconnecting with a sport she loves in a way that feels more comfortable to her. The results have been quite successful on the world stage.