Alysa Liu becomes first American woman to win figure skating world championship in 19 years

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In a stunning return to the sport, American figure skater Alysa Liu dethroned three-time defending champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan at the World Figure Skating Championships Friday night at Boston's TD Garden. 

Liu became the first American woman to claim a title since Kimmie Meissner in 2006. 

Liu's victory marked a meteoric comeback after stepping away from the sport in 2022. 

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Alysa Liu of the United States reacts after performing her routine in the women's free program at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2025 at TD Garden March 28, 2025, in Boston.  (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

"I mean, it means so much to me and everything I’ve been through," Liu said after the victory. "My last skating experience, my time away and this time around — I’m so happy, I guess. I’m mostly glad I could put out two of my best performances."

Liu was once considered a rising star as the youngest U.S. champ ever when she triumphed at the age of 13 in 2019 and then defended her title the next year. She fulfilled a childhood dream by qualifying for the Olympics, finishing sixth at the 2022 Beijing Games, and earned a bronze medal at the world championships that year.

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Alysa Liu of the U.S. competes in women's free skating during the 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at TD Garden March 28, 2025, in Boston. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Then she stepped away. Liu decided skating had become less of a joy and more of a job, and she wanted to focus on being a normal college student. It wasn’t until she went on a ski trip and felt